Manchester school shortlisted as one of the ‘world’s best’

A specialist school is in the running to be named one of the world’s best.

Grange School in Manchester has been named in the final three shortlist for the World’s Best School Prizes 2024 for innovation.

It is the first time a Greater Manchester school has been nominated, and head teacher Rachael Clifford said the pupils and staff were all very excited.

She said the curriculum, which includes learning to look after animals and develop catering skills, “help pupils to live in the real world”.

Ms Clifford said the school has undergone a massive transformation since it was placed in Special Measures in 2017, before she became the head teacher.

Since then, the school has become a regional leader in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for 262 students aged between three and 19.

“Being in special measures was a blessing in disguise,” she said.

“We got to start from scratch and that’s what the school needed.

“We designed the school around autism, with a focus on preparing the children for life after education.”

The school now has a full-scale role play village which includes a shop, post office, doctors surgery and vets.

The village allows the pupils to practise their communication skills so when they are out in the community they are prepared for the different situations that might arise.

The school also has a student-run cafe, which allows the pupils to train as baristas and earn a food hygiene qualification.

There is also a full working farm on site where pupils take care of alpacas, pigs, goats and chickens and earn an animal husbandry qualification.

“If you are a person with autism you are ten times more likely to be unemployed and three times more likely to be in the criminal justice system,” Ms Clifford said.

“This curriculum helps pupils learn to live in the real world.

“A lot of our students finish school and go on to work in zoos and petting zoos.”

Grange School also teaches the full curriculum, using immersive spaces that allow students to explore subjects like science and geography through hands-on activities, enhancing their understanding and engagement.

“We teach the full national curriculum, we just deliver it in a different way,” Ms Clifford said.

“The kids here get to live the learning.

“For example, when our year one class is learning about Vikings, we would create a Viking feast and learn Viking songs so the children can really grasp the concept.”

The school’s unique approach has earned an Outstanding Ofsted rating, affirming its effectiveness in meeting the diverse needs of its students.

“The children just adore it,” Ms Clifford said.

“Traditionally special needs schools struggle with attendance, but our attendance levels are better than most mainstream schools.”

The World’s Best School Prizes was founded by T4 Education in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation to “celebrate schools which make a difference”.

The winners and finalists of the World’s Best School Prizes will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Dubai, UAE, on November 23-24.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham congratulated the school on “the remarkable achievement”.

“The work they have done to transform the lives of children with special educational needs and disabilities through innovative learning environments is making a profound difference in our city-region and we’re all incredibly proud of them,” he said.