Gesher School

Gesher is a school with a story, a path and a passion that will drive it to accomplish everything that it aspires to be.

A dedicated environment for children with special educational needs that struggle with anxiety, social skills, isolation and have difficulties with self-confidence. Children have one chance to have their childhood, and it is so important that they feel happy and secure within their school environment.

We believe that children who feel confident in their surroundings are able to access their learning with more ease and motivation which in turn allows them to meet their highest potential. At Gesher we teach an adapted version of the National Curriculum, which allows children to learn within their ability levels across subjects – regardless of how ‘spikey’ their profile may be. Our small classroom sizes and high staffing ratios allow us to accomplish a tailored curriculum for each child. Learning strategies and coping mechanisms to support development in social skills are at the core of our curriculum as well. We offer the opportunity to integrate in a local mainstream school, as well as partake in many different community trips. We strive to continuously look at the child as a whole with an eclectic approach, and are fortunate to have our own therapy team and educational psychologist to ensure we are successful in looking at children’s development across all areas. A repetitive compliment that the school receives is that children seem happy, and enjoy coming to school.

Gesher is a unique independent primary school, currently with a reception to key stage one intake, the school will add a cohort year on year until the school is at full capacity (and at that stage will be an all through primary school (reception – year 6 aged children). It provides a specialist meaningful learning environment for children with special educational needs. This includes language, communication and social pragmatic difficulties. We have a specialism in autism spectrum challenges (ASC).

Children are at the heart of Gesher School, where we foster a sense of belonging and community. It offers a happy, safe, friendly and stimulating environment in which children are supported to learn, interact and have fun. We believe that all children have the potential to achieve, but that every child is individual and requires a tailored, child-centred approach to learning.

The Gesher approach is warm, friendly and nurturing. Emotional health and resilience, developing children’s independence and learning, is at the core of our vision.

Gesher is an independent Jewish primary special school that offers children with special educational needs an exemplary and tailored education. Gesher ensures that each child’s needs are met through a whole and multi-therapeutic team approach. Gesher gives children the confidence and resilience to maximise their potential and where appropriate access opportunities for inclusion, the school works closely with families and Local Authorities to support this process. Gesher provides facilities for the research into understanding Autism in primary aged children, and as such methods of assessing, advising and providing education for them. Gesher’s ethos fosters a culture of respect, kindness and understanding.

Gesher warmly welcomes any child from any Jewish background. The school has a Modern Orthodox approach. Gesher’s Jewish ethos is translated into a variety of teaching methods. Children learn both from the school’s curriculum and culture via differing methods of action, including celebration, learning and playing. The school observes Shabbat and Chagim with early closing on Fridays in the winter months. Jewish Values, ‘Veahavta Lareach hakomacha’, treating all with respect, lie at the heart of the school’s philosophy.

Gesher promotes the warmth and essence of the Jewish religion; this is embedded throughout the curriculum. Through this, we instill an understanding of the Jewish religion in the context of the wider world in which we live today and framework of other religions.

Whilst Gesher is Jewish faith school it places importance on teaching its pupils British values and celebrating the diversity of races and religions in the country. The school promotes a culture of inclusivity and understanding amongst the pupils and will forge relationships with other local schools so that Gesher children can learn about other cultures. Gesher places great importance on teaching its pupils about and respect for British values and establishments including the monarchy, history, and the civic establishments that underpin our society such as the police force and fire brigade. This includes lessons, outings to museums and inviting speakers into the school.

Gesher has a multi-dimensional, personalised curriculum that varies according to the needs and aspirations of each child, alongside this the learning team around the child ensures that each child meets their full potential through addressing the barriers to leaning that they may experience as a result of their special educational need.

Learning at Gesher includes all or elements of the National Curriculum. Most children work extensively on Communication, Language and Literacy covering receptive and expressive communication. Social skills and peer interactions form a prominent part of the school experience. Life Skills focus on maximising individual independence.