The journey for Life Skills Manor for Autism started in 2015, proposed as a Special Free School. The original proposer team consisted of parents with children with autism and educational experts that had a range of SEND experience.

During the original proposal, the steering group formulated a Life Skills curriculum based upon the views of parent led groups. Unfortunately, the project was shelved pending political obstacles associated with Free Schools.

In 2020, we were able to proceed with the Life Skills Manor vision as a self-governing provision. We are delighted to report that we are now a registered independent special school with the Department for Education. Furthermore, we are taking strides to be at the forefront of special needs education.

Our school has been in the making for many years and we opened our doors in January 2022 to deliver our curriculum that embeds ‘skills for life’.

Our curriculum intent is to,

•Deliver a double-stranded curriculum at KS3 that is principally skills based with the inclusion of core academic subjects such as Maths, English and Science.

•Ensure every pupil will leave with employer recognised accreditations, certifications, qualifications, and social skills that will provide them with a solid platform to go onto further education or employment.

•Ensure Life Skills lessons will be taught every day to foster independent living, employability, healthy living, and participation in society.

Our pupil cohort will,

•Have a primary diagnosis of autism or in process of receiving a diagnosis.
•Have an EHC Plan.
•Be from the Catchment Districts of Thanet, Dover or Canterbury.
•Have Moderate Learning Difficulties or are High Functioning Autism.