The theme was inspired by a pupil at the school who noticed that the school's original seafront building was built in 1866 and wanted to celebrate its history.
Staff embraced the occasion by dressing in Victorian costumes, while pupils enjoyed an outdoor picnic and traditional Punch and Judy show. The Mayor of Broadstairs and the town crier also joined in the fun, helping to bring the school's history to life.
Stone Bay School provides day and residential education for 112 pupils aged 4 to 19 with autism along with severe and complex learning needs. Located on the coast overlooking Stone Bay, the school uses its unique setting to provide a wide range of learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
During the visit, Cllr Fordham toured the school with Headteacher Jane Hatwell and saw first-hand how staff help pupils develop confidence, communication skills and independence.
The outside of The Lodge, which pupils at Stone Bay School help to clean, maintain and market as an Airbnb property
One of the highlights was a visit to The Lodge, a historic building on the school site which operates as an Airbnb holiday let. Pupils help with preparing the accommodation for guests and support marketing activities, giving them valuable real-world experience while developing practical life skills. The popular venue is fully booked most weekends throughout the year and all through the school holidays.
The school's residential provision also plays an important role in helping young people gain independence. Twelve pupils currently stay on site during the week, where they can develop everyday skills in a supportive environment.
Pupils benefit from a wide range of outdoor activities, including beach school, visits to skate parks and boxing gyms, and learning opportunities in the school's forest school area. The grounds also include a large sandpit, running track, play equipment and an animal area where pupils help care for ducks, chickens and tortoises.
Mrs Hatwell said: "We are incredibly proud of our pupils and everything they achieve. Every child is different, so we work hard to create opportunities that help them develop the skills, confidence and independence they need for the future.
"Our location provides amazing opportunities for learning, and we're passionate about making sure our pupils experience as much of the world around them as possible. Whether that's caring for animals, taking part in beach school, helping at The Lodge or enjoying special events like our Victorian Day, every experience supports their learning and development."
The visit also highlighted the increasing demand for specialist school places across Kent. While Stone Bay School would like to support more pupils in the future, many of the children and young people it serves have highly complex needs, meaning specialist facilities and safety measures are essential.
Mrs Hatwell said the school has seen demand grow significantly over the years, with class sizes increasing from around four pupils to between six and eight in many classes. The school is also now providing outreach support to mainstream and specialist settings, helping other schools meet the needs of children with complex needs.
KCC Cabinet Member for Education with Stone Bay Headteacher Jane Hatwell
After being shown around the school and meeting some of the pupils Cllr Fordham said:
"It was wonderful to visit Stone Bay School and see the incredible work taking place every day. The enthusiasm of staff, the achievements of the pupils and the school's commitment to helping young people become as independent as possible were truly inspiring.
"The Victorian Day celebrations were a fantastic example of how the school brings learning to life, and it was a pleasure to meet pupils and hear about the many opportunities available to them. I would like to thank everyone for making us feel so welcome."
The visit highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing specialist education, while showcasing the creative and personalised approach Stone Bay School takes to support pupils with complex needs.
