We pride ourselves on our efforts to make sure that all our pupils feel valued and included in the life of their school. All of our OFSTED reports have judged this aspect of our school to be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ over the years. There are, of course, several interlinking strands that help us include all our pupils. All of this is underpinned by sheer hard work by both staff and pupils alike.

Our school is a strategically resourced school for pupils with physical/medical difficulties and a team of dedicated teachers and teaching assistants work tirelessly to ensure that these pupils, along with other pupils with a variety of special educational needs, are included in the life of the school by providing an appropriate curriculum and a rich and varied menu of extra-curricular activities.

Our learning mentor team comprises three colleagues who work with families and pupils to overcome barriers to learning and inclusion. A key role for our mentors is to provide a supporting bridge between home and school to enable pupils and their families to resolve issues that are hindering progress. They act as a critical friend and can signpost to other agencies that may be able to help. Our mentors work very closely with our Heads of College and their pastoral assistants to ensure that information is shared and that the best interests of the pupil remains at the centre of all shared working.

Our active democratically elected School Council and peer mentor team give life to the notion of ‘pupil voice’ throughout the school. The mentors give support to younger pupils, whilst the School Council, along with the Head Boy and Girl, plus our three College Captains, meets regularly with the school’s Senior Management Team to discuss matters that pupils want airing and to take pupil suggestions for school improvement for further discussion.

We are one of only five secondary schools within Cumbria to be designated as a SEAL {the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning} Lead Practice school and we were the first secondary school on the west coast to receive the Cumbria County Council ‘Inclusion Charter mark’ for our efforts and commitment to this fundamental area of the life of a school.