GDF

Our Mission 

To engage those who are disengaged, isolated, hard to reach, disadvantaged and who have Special Educational Needs in learning interventions that will develop confidence, self-esteem, resilience and skills and experiences needed to embrace life-long learning, utilising our outdoor learning environment to provide real-life experiences.  

Graduately Developing Future (GDF)'s curriculum reflects the particular needs of those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Education Health Care Plans (EHCP). GDF caters for and engages with students from right across the spectrum and works in partnership with local authorities across  Dorset to ensure it meets identified gaps in local provision. GDF’s outdoor learning environment provides the opportunity for utilising real-life experiences and taking a kinaesthetic approach. 

We consider provision of a complete educational context, from ages 6 to 14, which allows the most effective route through which students can be motivated and inspired to fulfil their individual educational and social potential.  

Children and young people with SEN can have their learning needs characterised 

by the triad of impairments listed below:  

· Difficulties in communication – both receptive and expressive  

· Difficulties in forming effective social relationships  

· Impairment of imagination and flexibility of thought 

 Students attending GDF may also experience extreme anxiety and have low self-esteem. Coping  with daily life can be extremely arduous, GDF is dedicated to mitigating such difficulties thereby  increasing the students learning receptivity, attainment 

and life skill base.