UK school up for 'world's best' award after falling into special measures

Grange School has a full scale fake village complete with a shop, vets and post office to help students practice managing real life scenarios

A specialist school which 'started from scratch' after falling into special measures is now in the running to be named one of the world's best.

Grange School in Manchester is one of just three schools in the final shortlist for the World’s Best School Prizes 2024 for innovation.

The school was placed in Special Measures in 2017 by education watchdog, Ofsted.

After that damning report head teacher Rachael Clifford was hired and has helped the school undergo a huge transformation.

Ms Clifford said the curriculum, which includes learning to cook and care for animals, "helps pupils to live in the real world ".

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

"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 fake village which includes a full scale shop, post office, doctors surgery and vets.

Using role play scenarios in the village, pupils can practise communication skills and prepare themselves for real world situations that may arise in their lives.

The school also has a student-run cafe, where pupils can train as baristas, and a full working farm on site - where pupils take care of alpacas, pigs, goats and chickens.

"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 national curriculum - but using immersive spaces to teach students with hands-on activities.

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."

She added: :"The children just adore it.

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