Environment & Facilities

All classes are resourced to a high standard; there are interactive whiteboards in every class base together with a wide range of computers and peripherals and an extensive variety of audio visual teaching aids. Some classrooms are equiped with over head tracking allowing for minimum disruption to learning, whilst ensuring all children’s moving and handling needs are met safely.

Some areas of the school are lit mainly by natural light sources with carefully designed glass ceilinged corridors.

The acoustics of this area 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.

The classes are grouped into different areas of the building so that learners are with peers of similar ages.

They all have access to outdoor spaces with landscaping and exercise equipment.

In one of our halls, the double-height ceiling 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.

Learning Spaces

Many of the classrooms at Newfield have breakout learning spaces available to them. They are either en suite to the classroom, or very close by. There are also ‘group rooms’ around school which enable one to one work, speech therapy and paired or small group 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.

One of the sensory rooms is an immersive learning environment 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.

There is a room dedicated to learners with Visual Impairment where they can access specialst equipment to develop and make the most of their vision.

Outdoor Provision

Outside, there are well maintained grounds, and hard play areas equipped with all weather musical instruments, play equipment and an outdoor gym. There is also a sensory garden containing a beautiful bandstand style story teller corner, a willow tree tunnel and raised planter beds for children, including those in wheelchairs, to access planting and gardening activities.

There is also a trim trail, wheelchair access roundabout and swing and large gorilla swing for groups of children to enjoy together.