Langside School
Langside School is Diverse Abilities’ visionary school for pupils aged two to 19 with profound physical and learning disabilities, and complex medical needs, based in Dorset. Our team provide a full sensory and therapeutic approach to meeting the needs of pupils and help them achieve their full potential, with nursing support in every class.
Your children are at the centre of everything we do, with a team of specialists under one roof to provide a holistic and unique programme of care:
Teachers and learning support assistants
Nursing
Speech and language therapy
Occupational therapy
Physiotherapy
Orthopaedics plus paediatric
Dietician
Orthotics clinic
Hydrotherapy
Rebound therapy
Choosing the right school can be a daunting task and, like you, we want the best for your child.
Unlock your child’s full potential
We’ll work with you, alongside your child’s Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) to provide a caring yet challenging environment, enabling all children to make progress towards their own goals. Each child has an individually tailored curriculum focusing on personalised approaches to learning.
Our key learning areas are:
Communication
Cognitive skills
Physical development
Environmental control technology (ECT)
Personal, social, and emotional wellbeing (self-help and self-advocacy)
Classes of six or seven are supported by a team that is lead by a qualified teacher and supported by a higher-level teaching assistant (HTLA), a therapy assistant, and two learning support assistants (LSA). Our occupational therapists, speech therapist, physiotherapists, and nurses, provide regular input into each class.
This ensures your child is motivated to build and extend their knowledge, skills and understanding; grow in confidence and develop independence; celebrate individual and group achievements; and prepare for the time when they leave school.
Working with our local community
We work in partnership with the local community offering children the choice to participate in extra-curricular activities wherever possible. Activities include singing and making music with a local care home, visiting farms and outdoor centres, and learning about and engaging with the outside world.
One of our partners is our next door neighbour, Colten Care’s Bourne View. We love to visit their residents to sing songs together, explore their garden, and even take part in their day to day activities.
Parent’s Group
As a Langside Parent, we understand the realities of your life, and are here to support you every step of the way – as are our other parents. We have a close community of parents who are always willing to help with advice and guidance from their own experiences.
We also have a closed Facebook group where parents can communicate with one another and the teaching staff, and we like to use it as a place where we can share pictures of your children so you can see what they’re getting up to!
Find out more
If you would like more information or to make an appointment to visit the school, please contact us. Our principal, Jon Seaward, is more than happy to discuss any questions you may have, or you are welcome to view the admissions policy by clicking here.
Getting in contact
Principal: Jon Seaward
Phone: 01202 518635
Email: office@langsideschool.org.uk
Address: Langside School, Langside Avenue, Wallisdown, Poole, BH12 5BN
Useful Resources
Don’t just take it from us…
“Langside is a centre of excellence for children. I couldn’t ask for a better place for my child to be. Every single member of staff shows remarkable empathy, cares for my child, and totally dedicates themselves to my child and the whole family.”
— a parent
“Staff are united in their belief that all pupils who attend the school deserve a voice and to have some control over their lives. Whenever possible throughout the day, staff give pupils choices, showing them that they are valued and listened to. As a result, pupils are happy and secure in school and they make good progress.”
— Ofsted
“Staff respond with enthusiasm by looking for creative solutions to help pupils move forward.”
- Ofsted
“The progress has been remarkable, above and beyond anything I could have ever wished and hoped for.”
— a parent
Our history
Established in 1959, Langside School has a multidisciplinary approach to providing education and therapy support. We can currently support up to 28 children within the school and work closely providing expertise to other schools in the area including Linwood School and Victoria Education Centre.
A variety of support
Diverse Abilities offers many services for children with profound physical and learning disabilities including:
Lily’s Place: overnight and day respite care in a safe and fun environment
Project My Time & Hangout: holiday activities, after school clubs and a weekend club
Coping with CHAOS: weekend and holiday play sessions
Shapes: care in the home for those aged 0 to 19
Awesome Nights: a youth club for teenagers with disabilities
Transitions & Lawford Lodge: care in the community and respite for those entering adult services
You do not need to be a pupil of Langside School to apply to access our wide range of services. Please contact our children’s team for more information.