Our ethos
At Cedars, every child and young person is seen, heard and celebrated. We start from where each pupil is, not where a curriculum says they should be, and build their learning around their own starting points and ambitions.
What we value
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Relationships first. Pupils learn best when they feel safe and understood, so trusting relationships come first.
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Every way of communicating counts. Speech, signing, symbols, pictures, gestures and technology are all valued.
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Health and wellbeing at the core. Physical health, emotional wellbeing and regulation are part of the curriculum, not an extra.
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Independence. We teach the skills pupils need for adult life, from personal care to travel, money and work.
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Partnership. We work closely with families, therapists and other professionals. Families know their children best.
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Equality of opportunity. Every pupil can take part and contribute.
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Our aim
We want Cedars to be a centre of excellence and a resource for special educational needs provision in Gateshead, and a provider of learning, training and employment pathways for young people with SEND.
Our history
Cedars has a long history of supporting children and young people with special educational needs in Gateshead. Sport and inclusive physical education have been an important part of that history. Cedars was awarded Sports College status in 2006 and joined the Youth Sport Trust’s ProjectAbility initiative in 2014. The Liz Neale Hall and Stephen Miller Centre at Low Fell were opened by our patron, three-time Paralympic gold medallist Stephen Miller MBE.
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In September 2025, Cedars opened its High Heworth site as provision moved from Walker Terrace. Today, we are one academy across Low Fell and High Heworth, with both sites contributing to our shared approach to learning, wellbeing and preparation for adult life.
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