We are not currently operating. We are currently awaiting our DfE Inspection.
We are not currently operating. We are currently awaiting our DfE Inspection.
At First Thought Independent School, our curriculum is designed to meet the unique strengths, needs, and aspirations of every learner. We provide full-time, highly personalised education for pupils aged 5–11 with Autism, Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), and complex additional needs.
Many of our pupils have experienced disrupted education before joining us. Our curriculum therefore focuses on re-engagement, communication, and independence - helping each child rediscover the joy of learning in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment.
We follow the principle that every thought counts. Learning begins with understanding how each child experiences the world, then building from their interests, sensory profile, and individual EHCP outcomes to create meaningful progress in all areas of development.
For pupils working at the earliest stages of development, the focus is on communication, interaction, engagement and sensory exploration.
Learning is built around the My Communication, My Thinking & Problem Solving, The World About Me, My Sensory Play, My Physical Wellbeing and My Independence areas.
Staff use intensive interaction, play-based learning, and therapeutic approaches to promote engagement and build trust.
For pupils beginning to show emerging subject understanding and functional skills, this pathway provides a bridge to more structured learning.
It develops literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and creative expression, alongside continued emphasis on communication, emotional regulation, and independence.
Learning is thematic and cross-curricular, enabling pupils to make connections across subjects while practising real-world application.
Across both pathways, we also deliver:
Learning happens in small classes with a high adult-to-pupil ratio. Every lesson is shaped by assessment for learning and adapted to each pupil’s developmental stage.
We use:
Our staff team includes qualified teachers, SEN specialists, and pastoral professionals trained in trauma-informed practice, autism-specific approaches, and communication support.
Progress at FTIS is measured in many ways - not just by test results, but by the small but significant steps that show growth in confidence, communication, and independence.
We use the EQUALS Informal and Semi-Formal Assessment Frameworks, EHCP outcomes, and tools such as MAPP and Tapestry to capture and celebrate progress across:
Parents and carers receive regular updates through learning journals, termly progress reviews, and annual EHCP meetings, ensuring a shared understanding of each child’s journey.
Our curriculum does more than meet statutory requirements - it builds the foundation for lifelong learning, confidence, and self-belief.
By combining academic learning with therapeutic, social, and life-skills development, we prepare pupils for their next stage of education and for life beyond school.
At First Thought Independent School, we believe every child can achieve - with the right support, the right environment, and the right thought behind every lesson.
Where every thought counts.
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