An Inclusive Approach to Learning

At The Westleigh School, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, achieve and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their individual needs, are supported to achieve their full potential.

Our approach to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is built upon high expectations, positive relationships and a shared commitment to removing barriers to learning. We recognise that every student is unique, and our provision is designed to be flexible, responsive and personalised.

We are proud of our inclusive school community, where students with SEND are valued, supported and encouraged to participate fully in school life.

Personalised Support and Provision

Our SEND provision is designed around the individual needs of students rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Through our flexible four-set model, smaller teaching groups, adaptive teaching, in-class support and targeted interventions, we ensure that students can access an ambitious and appropriate curriculum.

Our experienced SEND team works closely with teaching staff, pastoral colleagues, families and external professionals to identify needs early and provide the right support at the right time.

Support is carefully planned through a graduated approach of Assess, Plan, Do and Review, ensuring that provision is regularly evaluated and adapted to meet students' changing needs.

Our provision includes:

  • Communication and Interaction: Support for students with autism, speech, language and communication needs, including targeted interventions and personalised strategies.
  • Cognition and Learning: Specialist literacy and numeracy interventions, including Fresh Start, Lexonik, Lexonik Leap and Pearson Sprint, alongside support to develop independence and confidence.
  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health: Individual and small-group support, Thrive interventions, emotional regulation strategies and opportunities to develop positive relationships.
  • Sensory and Physical Needs: Reasonable adjustments, accessible learning environments and personalised support to ensure students can participate fully in school life.

Wellbeing, Belonging and Emotional Support

We recognise that emotional wellbeing and positive relationships are fundamental to successful learning.

Our dedicated SEND Hub provides a supportive environment where students can access targeted interventions, develop independence and receive additional support when required.

Our developing Westleigh Wellbeing Centre includes our Connection Space, which provides opportunities for structured emotional wellbeing activities, including SEMH interventions, Lego-based activities, therapeutic play approaches and supportive conversations.

Our Forest School provision further supports students in developing confidence, communication, resilience and emotional wellbeing through practical outdoor learning experiences.

Developing Independence and Preparing for the Future

Our ambition extends beyond academic achievement. We want every student to leave The Westleigh School with the confidence, skills and independence needed for their next stage of education, training or employment.

We work closely with feeder primary schools, post-16 providers, families and external agencies to ensure that transitions are carefully planned and supported.

Where appropriate, students receive personalised support with examination access arrangements, ensuring that reasonable adjustments reflect their established needs and normal way of working.

Working Together to Achieve Success

We believe that the strongest outcomes are achieved through genuine partnership between students, families, school staff and external professionals.

Our dedicated SEND team works collaboratively across the school to ensure that inclusion is a shared responsibility, not simply the role of one department.

Through high-quality teaching, personalised interventions, supportive relationships and a commitment to continuous improvement, we aim to ensure that every student feels included, understood, supported and successful.

Meet the SEND Team

Our dedicated SEND team brings together experienced staff with a wide range of knowledge and expertise. Working alongside teachers, pastoral colleagues, families and external agencies, the team ensures that students receive appropriate, timely and personalised support.

SEND Leadership

Mrs L Garrett – Assistant Headteacher & Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)

Mrs Garrett leads the strategic development of SEND provision across the school, ensuring that students with additional needs are identified, supported and included in all aspects of school life. She oversees the quality and effectiveness of SEND provision, statutory processes, partnership working and the continuous development of inclusive practice.

Mrs J McArthur – Assistant SENCo

Mrs McArthur supports the coordination and delivery of SEND provision, working closely with students, families and staff to ensure that individual needs are understood and appropriate support is in place.

Our SEND Team Leaders

Our SEND Team Leaders provide specialist oversight across the four broad areas of need identified within the SEND Code of Practice.

Mrs Lane – Cognition and Learning Lead

Oversees support for students with learning difficulties, including literacy, numeracy and wider barriers to academic progress. This includes coordinating targeted interventions and supporting staff to implement effective learning strategies.

Mrs Hamer – Communication and Interaction Lead

Supports students with speech, language and communication needs, including autistic students. The role focuses on developing effective communication strategies, social understanding and inclusive classroom practice.

Mrs Halloran – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Lead

Coordinates support for students experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties, including emotional regulation, positive relationships and engagement with learning. This includes working alongside our Thrive and wellbeing provision.

Mr McDonald – Access Lead

Oversees support relating to physical disabilities, sensory and medical needs, accessibility and reasonable adjustments. This includes helping students access the curriculum, school environment, educational visits and wider school opportunities.

A Whole-School Commitment to Inclusion

Our SEND leadership and specialist team are supported by dedicated teaching assistants, intervention staff, Thrive practitioners and colleagues across the wider school.

We believe that every teacher is a teacher of SEND and that successful inclusion depends upon shared responsibility, high expectations and consistent approaches.

Our team is committed to ensuring that students receive the support they need while developing independence, resilience and confidence.

At The Westleigh School, inclusion is not about where a student learns, but how effectively we meet their needs, remove barriers and enable them to succeed.

Contact Information

Wigan Local Offer

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