What is the primary special educational need of young people at Witherslack Hall School?

Children and young people who demonstrate features of emotional and behavioural difficulties, who are withdrawn and isolated, disruptive, hyperactive and lack concentration; those with immature social skills; and those presenting challenging behaviours arising from other complex needs come under the category of BESD. (Behavioural, emotional, social difficulties).

Children of all abilities can have BESD that can range from mild to severe. At one end of the spectrum, an individual may find it difficult to work in groups because of social interaction problems, and find the unstructured times of break and dinnertime particularly challenging. Other pupils can be isolated and withdrawn, often underachieving and finding it hard to communicate. At the more severe end of the spectrum will be those who are physically and verbally aggressive and find it impossible to work collaboratively. Their concentration may be poor; they may have low self-esteem and find it difficult to accept praise.

A child or teenager is likely to be identified as having BES difficulties if his behaviour:

• is not age-appropriate
• results in isolation from peers
• negatively affects the classroom/learning environment
• places unreasonable demands on teaching staff
• leads to low self-esteem
• restricts learning opportunities (both for the child concerned, and others in the class/school)
• creates dangerous situations

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also included in this group. These pupils have three main kinds of problem: overactive behaviour, impulsive behaviour and difficulty in paying attention. They often find it difficult to fit in at school and make friends, and while some symptoms, such as attention difficulties, may improve as the child gets older, behavioural problems such as disobedience and aggression may become worse if not addressed.

BESD needs are also associated with some other conditions – such as attachment disorders, Tourette syndrome, or autism. Witherslack Hall School works with pupils with these conditions and with specific learning difficulties such as Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, and those young people with Moderate Learning difficulties (MLD) as well as those with higher functioning autism including Asperger syndrome.

If you need more information about these areas one site that is useful is: www.oaasis.co.uk

What is a statement of special educational need?

A statement of special educational needs (SEN) sets out your child's needs and the help they should have. It is reviewed annually to ensure that any extra support given continues to meet your child's needs.

Will Witherslack Hall School be able to cater for your child’s needs?

Staff are well qualified and undergo regular, specialised training to enable them to meet the needs of the boys. Staff morale is high, resulting in an enthusiastic workforce that works positively with young people to improve their quality of life.

The 24 hour curriculum enables the school to provide opportunities for the students to access a range of academic, vocational, therapeutic and leisure activities. The aim is for the students to be successful learners, both academically and socially, and so enable them to become confident individuals.

There are well equipped specialist teaching areas and all courses have external accreditation including GCSE, ASDAN, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and a variety of vocational awards recognised nationwide by employers and colleges.

Small class sizes (max 8) with varying levels of support, dependant on need, enable the boys to make progress. Students follow a daily programme of literacy and numeracy supported by education and care staff ensuring that these skills are further developed beyond the school day.

Who do I need to contact to arrange a visit to the school?

Call 015395 52397 or email admin@whs.uk.com to arrange a visit to the school and ask to speak to the Admissions and Referrals Officer. When your son is attending Witherslack Hall School please use the same contact method but ask for the senior member of staff on duty.

How will I be involved in my child’s education?

Parents and carers are very much involved in a partnership with the school. All students are seen as individuals and parents/carers are kept fully informed of their child's progress and development right from the initial referral stage. They are invited to visit the school before a placement has been agreed and are always welcome to visit on other occasions. Staff from school will also visit your home, prior to your child starting at the school, to demonstrate that we will work cooperatively in the best interests of your child and to answer any further questions you may have about the school.

Each child is allocated a key worker and form tutor to support them. Part of their responsibility is to ensure that regular contact is maintained with parents and carers in order to keep them fully informed. All parents and carers are given advanced notice of the annual review dates and are encouraged to attend these to discuss their child’s progress in all areas of the school and his current targets. There are lots of opportunities to discuss your child’s progress – the first formal event is after 12 weeks when everyone involved is invited to the Initial Review when his progress and targets are discussed.

Parent and carers are also provided with reports on their child's progress each term and you will be invited to annual parents’ evenings to discuss his academic and vocational progress and ways you can support him outside school time.
Parents and carers are particularly welcome on the school's Open Day, where opportunities exist for visits to the various departments of the school and a chance to celebrate the achievements of the students.

How do I make a complaint about your school?

In the first instance parents and carers are encouraged to contact the member of staff they usually communicate with to raise any concerns or complaints they may have. If this response is not satisfactory the Headteacher should be contacted. The Headteacher is committed to ensuring that full support is given to enable parents to understand and deal with any concerns and complaints. For further details concerning our complaints procedure please see our Complaints policy.

Can I speak to someone informally about my child?

Your son’s key worker will initially contact you on a weekly basis to let you know how your child is getting on and you can phone at any time to speak to staff.

When are the school’s Open Day/ parents’ evenings/ sports day/ camp weeks/ trip to London?

Please check the school calendar. 

How does the admission process work?

Please see this via this link. 

I have been called to a review meeting. What will happen and who will be present?

The 1st review you will be invited to attend at Witherslack Hall School will be your son’s Initial Review – this takes place 12 weeks after your son starts at this school. All people involved with him being placed at the school are invited to the meeting and the purpose is to check that his needs are being met and he is making progress. Targets for future progress are agreed at this meeting and they are reviewed by the key worker, form tutor and school nurse on a 12 week cycle during his time at the school.

An Annual Review is held every year to ensure needs continue to be met and to allow parents and carers to discuss progress with school staff and other professionals. The boys are actively involved in the review process to ensure they are able to voice their needs.

Transition Reviews occurs in Year 9 and Year 11. The Year 9 review differs slightly from the Annual Review as the boys will have received careers education, advice and guidance to enable them to start thinking about their future choices. We prepare a Transition Plan with the boys and others at the review to detail the ideas the boys have for their future and what support they might need to help them achieve their plans when they move on from Witherslack Hall School.

How often will my child be home?

You will be informed, in advance, of all the school holiday dates. Our current dates can be accessed from the school calendar. 

The school has a fortnightly weekend leave pattern for the boys so they travel home every alternate weekend on a Friday and return on a Sunday night. The times and dates of weekend leave are given to parents at the start of each term. Transport arrangements are made at the interview and you will fully informed about all transport arrangements. It is therefore very important that you inform the school and  your local authority about any home moves you make while your child attends this school.

We are aware that you may have further questions which you would like answered. Please contact the school with your question so we can add it, and the answer, to this page. admin@whs.uk.com