Environment & Facilities

The School for Autism @ Newfield is a new, purpose built school for learners on the autism spectrum. The school is designed to a high specification with the needs of ASD learners in mind.

The school is lit mainly by natural light sources with carefully designed glass ceilinged corridors.

The acoustics of the building are dampened to assist learners who have difficulty in processing auditory sensory input. There are also gently curved walls so pupils are introduced to new environments gradually with no sudden changes in the visual appearance of the environment.

Many of our learners benefit from having access to movement and sensory input that helps them to regulate their emotions and to manage their responses to undesirable sensory input.

Wide bright corridor with glass ceiling
People with autism can often find too much sensory input difficult to cope with

The classes are grouped into different wings of the building so learners are with peers of similar ages. They have access to outdoor spaces with landscaping and exercise equipment.

Outdoor gym equipment
Large wooden framed swing

Learning Spaces

A work station

The classrooms in the School for Autism @ Newfield all have breakout learning spaces available to them. They are en suite to the classroom and there are also group rooms in each wing to enable one to one work, speech therapy and paired learning to take place in low distraction environments.

All of the classrooms are organised in zones or areas with specific purposes in mind, to enable learners to be clear about what the expectations are for each area.

The sensory room is an immersive learning environment which is equipped with specialist sensory integration swings so pupils with sensory needs can access activity which regulates them. The room is also flexible in its use and can be transformed into a beach front, the Arctic, the desert or a waterfall to bring learning to life for our pupils exploring a variety of curriculum areas.

Sensory room
play area in a classroom

The double-height ceiling in the hall is designed to facilitate trampolining sessions for learners. This is carried out only with supervision of appropriately trained staff. Trampolining and re-bound therapy can be beneficial in promoting physical fitness and stamina as well as promoting sensory regulation for learners on the autism spectrum.

Outside Space

As well as the playgrounds the outside space is attractively landscaped. This has been designed with the scope for learners to develop planting and growing opportunities as part of their outdoor learning.

During the day the learners have access to a track around the perimeter of the school where running, walking and cycling can take place.

Driveway to school building

For more information about Sensory Issues visit our

Sensory Needs Page

‘State of the art technology is installed not only to provide quality teaching resources, but also to ensure the environment contributes to the learning experience.’ IQM, 2018

Newfield School
Shadsworth Road
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 2HR

01254 588 600

newfieldbwd on twitter
Safeguarding

Newfield School is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority.

Full copies of Policies and Procedures related to all aspects of Safeguarding, and the Complaints Policy, are available on request from Rachel Kay, Head Teacher and Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding and Child Protection.

Equality Duty

Newfield School complies with the general and specific duties of the Equality Act (2010). In accordance with the duty we publish information that demonstrates that we have due regard to the need to;

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination
  • Advance equality of opportunity
  • Foster good relations

These specific duties have been considered in relation to all our policies and procedures in school. Our objectives will be reported on and published as part of the Governance public documents available for inspection under the Freedom of Information Regulations and Data Protection duties and in the school newsletter to parents.

Our Equality Objectives are set, reviewed and published annually in our School Development Plan.

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