CWA are rightly proud of their little school (Nairdwood Lane) and the Academy as a whole.
We have received this item from Richard Baber, Deputy Head, Chiltern Way Academy
Over the years, Chiltern Way Academy (CWA) has been through many changes. Many people reading this will first have known it as Prestwood Lodge School, as it was when I first joined some fifteen years ago. Since then we have been Chiltern Way Federation, when we joined forces with Wendover House, and now as we presently stand, Chiltern Way Academy Prestwood Campus. Chiltern Way is an award winning special educational needs academy trust for boys and girls, aged four to nineteen, with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and Social Emotional and Mental Health conditions (SEMH). Currently CWA has four campuses situated in Wendover, Bierton Hill in Aylesbury, and our Wokingham campus which is the newest addition to the academy family.
We provide high-quality education and care for the huge range of need that exists across the behaviour spectrum. At Prestwood we specialise particularly in students with autism.
At Prestwood Campus we are extremely proud to have achieved accreditation from The National Autistic Society. It shows our expertise, passion and dedication through a rigorous assessment and improvement process. We can demonstrate excellent practice that works towards the very best outcomes and life chances for our pupils. Our curriculum is not just about grades and academic achievement, although this is obviously a hugely important part of what we do, but we also prepare our students for life through their social understanding and perceptions of the world around them.
Our goal is long term sustainable employability. Did you know that in February 2021 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published new data that shows just 22% of autistic adults are in any kind of employment? Perhaps you, or someone you know, could help us improve those chances with valuable work experience placements or employment opportunities? We welcome and gratefully receive any opportunities to enhance the future of our young people.
There is no getting away from the fact that settings like ours can be viewed as being schools for ‘naughty’ children, for children who can’t behave and need to be removed from what many see as normal schools. But there is so much more, with so many reasons why pupils attend special schools and alternative provisions – far too many to go into in this piece! It isn’t a fair label and one which we work hard to address whenever we can. Physical disabilities are more readily identified of course but the disabilities presented by SEMH and ASC, like our students, are not so easily recognised. Behaviours can appear rude, dangerous, and to some people nothing short of strange. It is here that the seeds of misconceptions about what we do and what we offerare sown. Far more importantly the misconceptions of what our students can offer society are also grown from the same place. They have much to offer and so much to gain.These are some of the barriers we want to break down, to become more involved in the community around us, and we are looking forward to doing so moving forward.
Take a look at our website,chilternway.org to see what we do, the incredible learning that takes place academically and socially and the desire we have for our students to lead full and productive lives. We are rightly proud of our school and the incredible work we do. You could if you wish drop us a line at RBaber@chilternway.org and pop in for a visit – we enjoy showing people what our school is really all about. Telephone number is 01494 863514
Until then we wish you all health and a safe return to normality.
Richard Baber, Deputy Head
Head of Post 16 Education, Lead for Careers and Enterprise
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