Chiltern Wood School is a special school for over 200 children and young people who have a wide range of additional needs.  This could be anything from Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition, Speech Language Communication Needs and complex medical needs.

We are one big school across two sites in the High Wycombe area (Downley and Cressex) and cater for pupils from 3 to 19.  We also have an outreach programme to help support the needs of pupils and staff within our local mainstream schools.

We are a Total Communication school, meaning we find and use the right combination of communication methods to allow our pupils to form connections, have successful interactions and support information exchanges and conversations. We pride ourselves on putting the wellbeing of our children and staff at the centre of the learning process, as we believe that sustained success is only seen when embedded in a safe, secure and happy environment. 

A quote from a parent in our recent survey sums this up wonderfully,

“My child has a wonderful time at school and is cared for, loved and valued. She makes great progress and her needs are met through careful consideration of what she is able to achieve. The staff are so friendly, warm and welcoming. Couldn’t ask for better!”

Some of the money raised this year from The Mayor’s Appeal will help to build a ‘memory garden’ at our Downley site.  Sadly, since I have been headteacher, (January 2022), we have had three children pass away.  The memory garden will be a quiet place for parents, pupils and staff to sit and reflect.  We have a family member of one of our support staff who has designed and will help to create the garden, so the money will go towards building materials and plants. Any additional money will be used for Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy resources across the school.

Rachel Chapman, Head Teacher