Gordano School is proud to announce the opening of its new specialist SEND provision, The Compass, designed to support Year 7 pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Starting in September 2025, The Compass will provide a tailored learning environment focused on meeting the individual needs of SEND pupils within a nurturing and inclusive setting.

Gordano School has been recognised by Challenge Partners with an ‘Area of Excellence’ accreditation for Inclusion, highlighting the school’s outstanding commitment to supporting students with SEND. This new provision further strengthens Gordano’s dedication to providing high-quality, inclusive education for all pupils.

What is The Compass?
The Compass is a specialist base featuring small class sizes of no more than twelve pupils. The provision includes a sensory room, an intervention room, and a main classroom, all staffed by specialist teaching assistants and subject experts. Pupils will receive high-quality, highly adapted, and scaffolded teaching for all non-practical subjects within the base, while practical lessons will take place within the wider school community.

Supporting Individual Needs
To ensure focused support, pupils within The Compass will not attend foreign language classes. Instead, this time will be dedicated to specialist interventions tailored to their unique learning needs, enhancing their development and confidence.

A Typical Day at The Compass
Students will begin their day with their allocated tutor group in the main school before attending The Compass for settling and nurturing activities. Throughout the day, they will move between lessons in the specialist base and the wider school, supported throughout by SEND staff. During breaks, pupils can choose to access the Student Support area to build friendships, participate in games, and seek additional help as needed.

Ongoing Review and Support
Pupil progress will be regularly reviewed through the assess, plan, do, review cycle. Annual reviews, involving pupils, parents, and staff, will help determine whether students continue to require this specialist provision in Year 8 and beyond.

Further Information
Families with questions or seeking more information about The Compass are encouraged to contact the SEND Team at SEND@gordanoschool.org.uk

You can visit the SEND webpage

Gordano School remains committed to providing outstanding inclusive education and looks forward to welcoming the first cohort to The Compass in September 2025.