Pond Meadow School converted to Academy status in November 2014 and is a single school Academy Trust  known as 'Pond Meadow Academy Trust'. More detailed information relating to the structure, Governance and funding of the school is available in the 'Academy and Charity Information' section of this site. The school retains its close working relationship with Surrey Local Authority and our admissions arrangements are managed through their local Education Offices. Pond Meadow has 117 pupils on roll and is likely to expand to 124 pupils in the next year.

We provide parallel but separate, age-based, classes for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties and pupils with Complex and Profound Learning Difficulties (including complex medical needs). Our overall balance of these three provisions is different in different age groups with an equal balance in the post-14 class groups (50% ASD and 50% S/PMLD) but a mainly ASD provision in the Early Years through to Key Stage 2 class groups (90% ASD and 10% PMLD). It is likely that with current referrals the school will reflect the ASD provision seen in younger years throughout the entire school within a few years. This aspect of the school's provision is being discussed with the Local Authority and is part of the Governors' priority to look at within the School development Plan.

Our class groups are defined by the amount of structure available to support pupils' learning; high-structure, medium structure and low-structure. With the high-structure group also providing a low distraction environment and the low-structure group providing a sensory-enriched approach. Class groups run at between 6 to 8 pupils, depending on need, with a teacher, a senior support worker and three classroom assistants. The level of support can be increased to provide for higher ratios to meet specific 1:1 needs. The school prides itself on the level of class support provided and the quality of teaching and learning provided through it.

The school is managed within two main 'phases' each managed by one of my two deputies; the Lower School is managed by Christine Archer and the Upper School by Catherine Attridge. The divide is set at where the classrooms sit within the building as opposed to a definite age, although the split is aimed at Year 4/5. Lower School also covers Nursery and Reception provision which is overseen by Rebecca Greig and Upper School covers 16-19 (FE)

Our last three Ofsted reports have found the school to be outstanding, a view commonly shared by our parents and visitors (and hopefully our pupils!). Our last inspection was in February 2014 and following our recent conversion to an Academy our inspection reports for 2014, 2009, 2006 are held in a separate area of the Ofsted reports site.

Ethos & Values The ethos and values of Pond Meadow School are summarised in the following four words: "Learning, Independence, Respect, Equality"

The school prides itself on the individual pupil's learning and outcomes and seeks to provide a teaching and learning environment that allows each pupil to achieve to their highest potential. Independence is of equal importance to us and we put in place an holistic curriculum model that supports both independent learning and the development of independence skills. Independence that we hope will support each pupil throughout their life.

Our approach to teaching, care and support is rooted in absolute respect for the individual, their dignity and their rights as a young person. A key part of our approach is to view behaviour as communication and to respect the pupil's right not to be physically handled but instead to be supported through their own communication. Equality is imbedded in our whole school approach and through every policy area, providing support for equal access to learn through to a right to be free from discrimination.

The Governors have endorsed an Ethos and Equality Statement Pond Meadow Academy values ‘Learning, Independence, Respect and Equality’ and seeks to give all pupils, parents/carers and staff members in the Academy an equal opportunity to learn, work and live, free from the action, or fear, of discrimination because of their sex, race, disability, religion or belief, or sexual orientation and whether they are pregnant or undergoing gender reassignment.

The focus of the Academy is to provide Equality of opportunity, promote Respect for each pupil in all settings and to be a true and trusted advocate who represents their needs, wishes and opinions and to develop each pupil’s Independence so that they are able to be supported to become an active citizen within our society. Our approach to teaching and the curriculum model is that through the child’s or young person’s Learning these values will be developed during their school career in a respectful, relevant and age appropriate manner.

Every member of the Pond Meadow Academy staff are key to the delivery of this ethos and as such the same model of Equality and Respect is included in all school policies. Furthermore, all staff will have the opportunity to develop as self-directed, reflective learners, through working collaboratively to enhance their own expertise.  Governors will contribute to the life of the Academy on a wider scale, acting as critical friends to support its vision to become a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence.