Bowden House School offers an effective, educational programme delivered in a safe, stable and supportive environment with an increased opportunity to improve school attendance; raise the attainment and achievement of its students and is committed to enabling each student to strive to reach their full potential. The Care Team work closely with the Education Team and contributes to the stability and learning aspirations of the students. This whole school approach ensures that students receive consistent, high quality education and care; school placements have the potential to be long-term, where appropriate and the reputation of the school is enhanced by the quality and stability offered.

The main aim of the school is:

  • To provide an educationally stimulating environment for every student
  • To provide a blend of experienced staffing, including those qualified in social care and teaching. The range of skills within the team ensures that the individual needs of all students can be met
  • To encourage students to contribute to their Individual Learning Plans; take an active part in planning their own future and to accept responsibility for their actions and begin to address and work towards managing their behaviour
  • To expand the knowledge, skills and abilities of every student within the formal classroom setting; learning ‘Outside the Classroom’ and within the wider community
  • To support every student in a small group learning environment to improve their educational and social skills based upon their individual needs
  • To enable every student to become a positive, responsible member of society with encouragement to participate in a range of outside interests
  • To provide opportunities to form appropriate relationships with adults and other students in a caring, nurturing environment with maximum opportunities to develop these relationships within clearly defined boundaries and guidelines
  • To accept school placements for boys aged 9 years to 16+ years with a view to providing a stable, caring environment
  • To ensure that the blend of teaching and care staff work co-operatively together so that Individual Learning Plans are tailored to meet each individual student’s needs
  • For all staff to be aware and respond to the possible distress faced by students living away from their families/friends and the demands of shared living
  • To develop the positive self-esteem and confidence of all students.

On-site Vocational Training

  • Motor mechanics. The school has a custom-built garage with facilities for car and motorbike restoration/mechanics
  • The school plans to extend its on-site provision to includeconstruction; painting/decorating and plumbing

Off-site Vocational Training

  • College placements –home authority or local to school
  • Brighton & Hove Albion ‘football in the community reintegration project’
  • London Fire Brigade –life skills course

All students will be supported in the classroom and on off-site programmes, when needed. SAM Learning is available to all students either in school or as a distance learning packageif they are unable to attend school through sickness, etc.

Summary

The curriculum also includes other non-specific vocational areas which are designed to enrich students experiences and foster a love of learning. These include food technology, expressive arts and the 'Adventure Centre for Education' (ACE) 

The ACE provision at Bowden has been designed to provide students with an outdoor experience that enables them to find a passion in the outdoor world. Recently Bowden has also committed to developing a dedicated forestry provision which aims at being a specific vocational offering.

Bowden House actively encourages students to consider their vocational pathway, but we believe this cannot be chosen without passion and nurture of something that is valued and enjoyed for its own sake. When students begin to understand what they love and enjoy, the school begins to encourage and promote careers that students may eventually find career paths in. 

Students are supported throughout their transition to various colleges by encouraging an organised and pragmatic approach to applications and interviews either within the local community or other specific boroughs.

We are reminded of the words of Aristotle when we consider our vocational offer:

"Educating the mind without educating the heart, is no education at all"

November 2022