Our four Foundation learning classrooms are dedicated to supporting pupils who have more complex needs and these pupils benefit from interventions such as Makaton, Communication in Print, Attention Autism and TEACCH approaches. They explore emotions through play, learning through experience and develop key skills for life. The Foundation curriculum is designed to match the needs of the students and where appropriate they regularly have access to subject specialist teachers.

Foundation provides a highly nurturing and therapeutic environment, with specialist staff and an emphasis on life skills. Each classroom has an additional small multifunctional room, providing space for therapies, sensory integration work, physio, quiet study, role play and social games. Pupils have access to their own self-contained outside play and learning space, but can also join the main school playground at lunch and breaktimes should they choose to do so.

The Key Stage 4 curriculum is more guided for our Foundation learners ensuring that they, not only leave Oak Lodge with a range of appropriate qualifications, but also experience greater opportunities to develop the key skills for adult life.