At Ravenscliffe, we recognise that every student is entitled to develop their independence skills as they progress through school. Therefore, opportunities for travel training for all of our students are fundamental to this development of greater independence.

Established in 2000, travel training primarily aims to challenge the notion that all young people with special educational needs must be transported to and from school on a daily basis. Importantly, independent travel is an integral part of the school’s springboard employability programme, in giving students the confidence to travel to and from their place of work safely.

General Travel Training Opportunities

From Year 7 onwards this programme aims to provide students with appropriate and purposeful travel training experiences across the timetable. This may involve developing mobility skills within the more supportive and sheltered environment of the school grounds or travelling to the local shops or out in other locations across the community.

Independence in a Month

Launched in April 2006, the ‘Independence in a Month’ scheme aims to develop full independence for some of our more capable students. Targeted students are withdrawn from normal timetable for a month and receive intense support from Calderdale’s Leading Travel Trainer (who is also based at Ravenscliffe) with the expectation that they will achieve full independence within this timescale. Stringent Risk Assessments and Safe Travel Routes are put into place. Travel is broken down into 15 steps and Parents/Carers consent each step of independence. A student cannot progress to the next step without this consent. Importantly, the training doesn’t stop after the month; students receive extra support when needed to learn routes to work placements, leisure opportunities, respite centres & further education providers. To date many students have successfully completed this scheme, and are all now fully independent in their travel. This has a far greater reach than just Ravenscliffe, as all of these students can take the skills they have learned into the future.