Blog & News
Keep up to date with Abbey School news and blogs from our teaching team and academics.
Abbey School: The role of the physical environment in SEN care
13 September 2021
The buildings we live and learn in have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Physical comfort, aesthetics, and functionality combine to influence how we feel about the spaces we use.
Abbey School: Being part of a community
22 July 2021
Most of us want to feel we belong and that we connect with others in a meaningful way. Belonging and connection are basic to everyone, including those who may have a learning disability and a diagnosis of autism.
Abbey School set to launch Chester’s first residential provision for autistic children
21 June 2021
Abbey School for Exceptional Children, a specialist school in Chester city centre that caters for children with autism, is set to open its brand new residential offering.
Abbey School: One year on – by Abbey School principal Dr Katy Lee
18 June 2021
At Abbey School for exceptional children, we believe strongly that all children with special educational needs deserve an education that is truly excellent and we have worked diligently over the past year to make this ambition a reality.
Creating a soft landing for our new residential pupils
23 April 2021
This year marks an exciting milestone at Abbey School as our beautiful new residential accommodation Abbey Green opens in September and we look forward to welcoming new faces and friends as pupils join us from all over the country.
Abbey School nears completion on residential development
22 February 2021
Abbey School launches a residential offering this spring, following the transformational refurbishment of a building called Abbey Green at the school.
Framing our approach to children with challenging behaviour
9 February 2021
How can Positive Behavioural Support help children who present with challenging behaviour, in ways that are respectful and culturally sensitive?
Book your virtual open day at Abbey School
29 January 2021
As we are currently unable to hold our open days within our fantastic school buildings, we are using this as an opportunity to provide you with a more personalised experience through virtual open day sessions.
Chester leaders welcome new city centre Abbey School
14 January 2021
Dean of Chester, the Venerable Dr Tim Stratford has joined city leaders in celebrating the launch of our new school.
Professor Sandy Toogood celebrated on the New Year Honours list
1 January 2021
Head of Clinical and Behavioural Services at Abbey School, Professor Sandy Toogood, is to be awarded a British Empire Medal.
Ingredients for an outstanding education
10 December 2020
An outstanding SEN education is made up of a combination of several key ingredients, as well as the Abbey School ‘icing on the cake’.
Partnership in SEND provision
2 December 2020
Partnership can drive innovation and best practice where the goal is strengthening provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and behaviours that challenge.
Abbey School podcast: A personalised SEN learning journey – the building blocks of learning
13 November 2020
We explore how creating a learning journey that will work for a child with special educational needs is an important part of unlocking their potential.
Abbey School interview – creating an outstanding SEN school
30 October 2020
How did we go about creating a school that will improve the life chances of our pupils, and offer an improved quality of life for family members and others?
What to do if your child needs special educational school provision?
22 October 2020
We’ve put together this helpful visual guide to help you along the journey.
A guide to securing a SEN school placement for your child’s special educational needs
21 October 2020For parents just beginning the SEN journey – it can seem like a challenging and complex landscape to navigate. Here’s what you need to know…
Three key elements can optimise out-of-area placements for children with SEND – by Prof. Sandy Toogood
14 October 2020
When an out-of-area placement is needed for pupils with SEND, what features of provision are likely to maximise benefit for pupils and families?
Abbey School podcast: Understanding special educational rights – a guide to accessing the best possible SEND education
2 October 2020
In this podcast we explore the legal landscape around SEND provision and the rights of pupils and parents.
Listen here…
Abbey School opens its doors in the heart of Chester
28 September 2020
Our brand new school and centre of excellence for special educational needs and disability, Abbey School for Exceptional Children, has opened in Chester’s historic Abbey Square.
Exceptional Children – how we named Abbey School
25 September 2020
Children are exceptional in different ways and we wanted to draw attention to this in the most positive and affirming way possible.
Firm Foundations – Developing the Building Blocks of Learning – by Janet Whiley
4 September 2020
Many children with SEND enter the education system without the pivotal skills that are essential for lifetime learning.
A personalised approach holds the key to unlocking our SEND challenge – by Prof. Sandy Toogood
28 August 2020
Ensuring people with special educational needs and disabilities are empowered and equipped with the tools they need to contribute to public life…
A curriculum as unique as your child – by Deputy Principal Kelly Holloway
27 August 2020
How can a highly personalised curriculum empower those whose characteristics, behaviour and learning capabilities sit outside of the typical?
Abbey School will create hundreds of new highly skilled jobs in Chester
28 July 2020
Over 200 roles will be created, including social care staff, qualified teachers, behaviour analysts, speech & language therapists, and more.
Abbey School podcast: a new beginning for special educational needs
24 July 2020
In our first Abbey school podcast, we explore the school’s Educational Research Alliance (ERA) and the strides being made in the field of educational development.
Abbey School launches £1million research programme to provide ‘the best education possible’
29 June 2020
Our brand new school and centre of excellence for special educational needs and disability in the UK is set to open in Chester.
Abbey School: a new beginning – by Abbey School principal Dr Katy Lee
26 June 2020
We want to set a new standard in special education – a standard that is aspirational and imposes no limits on what can be achieved for each and every pupil.
