Why

• 🧡 A Warm, Welcoming Community
  We pride ourselves on our family feel. Every child is known, valued, and supported by adults who build strong, trusting relationships. Our environment is calm, predictable, and caring — the foundation for learning and emotional security.
• 🧠 Bespoke Learning Pathways
  No two children are the same, and neither are their learning journeys. We create tailored, developmentally-appropriate curriculum pathways that reflect each pupil’s unique strengths, interests, and needs. Learning is brought to life through project-based experiences, combining academic goals with practical, hands-on opportunities.
• 🌈 Embedded Sensory and Therapeutic Support
  Our school day is structured around sensory diets, regulation strategies, and therapeutic input, helping pupils remain calm, engaged, and ready to learn. Whether it’s through sensory circuits, calm spaces, or outdoor learning like forest school or farm visits, every child’s sensory and emotional needs are honoured.
• 🎓 Specialist Teaching and Expertise
  Our staff are trained in a wide range of evidence-based approaches including, Attention Autism, and Makaton. We work as a multidisciplinary team — including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and mental health practitioners — to ensure that learning is holistic and consistent.
• 🧩 Support for the Whole Child
  Beyond academic learning, we support pupils with communication, life skills, emotional regulation, and social development, helping them build confidence and prepare for life beyond school in a meaningful and supported way.
• 👫 Family Partnerships
  We work closely with families, valuing their insight and ensuring consistency between home and school. Together, we celebrate every milestone, no matter how small.

Ladybird Manor School isn’t just a school — it’s a place where children feel safe, valued, and capable.

We are here for learners who need something different — not less — and we build a foundation for lifelong growth, communication, and success.

Who Attends Ladybird Manor School?

Ladybird Manor School provides specialist education for children and young people who require a highly individualised approach to learning. Our pupils typically present with a range of complex needs, often including:

✅ Learning Difficulties (LD)

Many of our pupils have moderate to severe learning difficulties that impact their ability to access a traditional mainstream curriculum. They benefit from small-group or 1:1 teaching, practical learning experiences, and highly structured support to achieve personal progress.

✅ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A large proportion of our learners have a diagnosed ASD profile, with associated differences in communication, social interaction, sensory processing, and emotional regulation.

✅ Global Developmental Delay (GDD)

Some pupils have delayed development across multiple areas, such as language, motor skills, cognition, and adaptive behaviour, and need an environment that can pace learning appropriately.

✅ Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

We support pupils with a wide range of communication profiles — from non-verbal to delayed expressive language — using tools like AAC, PECS, Makaton, and total communication strategies.

✅ Neurodiverse Profiles

We welcome neurodiverse learners who may present with ADHD, sensory integration needs, or other neurological differences that affect attention, processing or behaviour.

✅ Associated Conditions

Some children may also have co-occurring needs such as:

• Sensory processing difficulties
• Anxiety and emotional regulation challenges
• Epilepsy, coordination disorders, or mild physical impairments

🌱 We Are Here For Learners Who:

• Struggle to access or progress within a mainstream or generic special school setting
• Need a low-arousal, structured environment with predictable routines
• Require personalised curriculum pathways, tailored to their stage of development
• Benefit from embedded sensory and therapeutic support
• Thrive with high levels of adult support, visual communication, and a focus on emotional wellbeing

At Ladybird Manor, our pupils are individuals first. We look beyond diagnosis and label — we see potential, and we shape the environment around each learner’s needs, strengths and ambitions.