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Welcome from the Principal

Thank you for visiting the St Mary’s School and College website. We are a non-maintained residential special school for children with Speech, Language and Communication needs. St Mary's is based on the south east coast of England in Bexhill, East Sussex and we cater for both residential and day pupils aged 5 to 19. Since 1922, it has been our mission to ensure that children with Speech, Language and Communication needs and additional difficulties receive the integrated support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and take their place in the community. 

St Mary’s is a total communication environment. This means we utilise a range of approaches that enable our pupils to succeed in their development of their communication skills. All of our staff, including those in non-child facing roles, are trained in sign-supported English. Our staff team provide assistance for parents and carers who wish to learn to sign in order that they can support their child in the home. In addition, we value and proactively invest in communication and learning technologies.

Our on-site residential house offers a ‘homely’ and supportive environment for pupils to live and learn for up to 38 weeks a year. There is an emphasis on providing a warm, welcoming and safe residential experience and pupils are given every opportunity to become as independent as possible.

The school and college offers a personalised plan for each child to access a broad and balanced curriculum, fully integrated with speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social, emotional and mental health support and opportunities to develop independence and life skills. Our facilities offer excellent opportunities to support individual needs and include a swimming pool, library, sports hall, food technology and science rooms, physiotherapy and sensory integration facilities and therapy support rooms. 

Natalie Edwards

Principal

Natalie Edwards Nov 20