A Welcome from the Headteacher
Havencross School is an independent specialist SEND school for pupils aged 7-16 in Denton, Tameside.
Danielle Hulme
Headteacher
- Nurturing, safe and supportive environment
- Small class sizes of: 1 Teacher, 1 Teaching Assistant & 6 Pupils
- 54 places, mixed gender
- In-house Integrated Therapies Team
- Key Stages 2-4
- 1:1 support available (where required/funded)
- Broad, balanced and engaging curriculum
DELIVERING OUR ETHOS AND VALUES
At Havencross School, our ethos and set of core values are at the heart of all that we do.
Our approach of ‘Nurture’, ‘Flourish’, ‘Grow’ and ‘Be kind’ not only guides our bespoke programmes of learning and personalised curriculum, but also underpins our day-to-day interactions with each other as members of our school community and our wider work within the local community.
We believe that by creating a school culture where kindness is key and the individual needs of our Pupils are central to every decision we make, we can:
Nurture our Pupils, tailoring their individual curriculum to best support their identified needs and personal aspirations.
Support our Pupils to Flourish, creating a supportive environment which helps them to feel safe, encouraged and confident.
Provide our Pupils with the perfect conditions to enable them to Grow throughout their school journey, and beyond, equipping them with the skills and experiences required to achieve personal success.
We work closely with our Pupils, Parents, Carers and Professionals to create bespoke programmes of learning which are tailored to the communication, educational, social, emotional and sensory needs of all Pupils, supporting them to reach their full potential. Our personalised curriculum acknowledges the national curriculum and meets the specific needs of each Pupil, whilst also supporting them to meet the outcomes identified in their Education Health and Care plan (EHCP).
To achieve this, every Pupil has individualised plans, outlining their strengths and areas of need, and how we can best support them, and a personalised learning journey to plan their curriculum pathway throughout their time at Havencross School. Our goal is to provide access to the best possible academic outcomes as well as preparing our Pupils for the next stage of their education and adulthood by equipping them with the skills required to achieve personal success and to become active members of society.
GALLERY
THE CORE OFFER
Our curriculum offer includes small class a high Pupil to Team Member ratio, and a primary model where Pupils have dedicated key adults.
Pupils will have access to personalised learning spaces where they are able to grow in confidence whilst feeling nurtured and encouraged to develop.
We achieve this through our inclusive multidisciplinary approach to learning and development, supported by access to our team of highly qualified therapeutic practitioners, and through our bespoke and individualised programmes of study. We also provide a comprehensive enrichment curriculum which has been carefully structured to develop lifelong, transferrable skills and to cultivate an appreciation of the environment and sustainability.
This experiential based learning approach supports our Pupils to develop independence and self-confidence and to successfully transition into life outside of Havencross School.
We have high expectations for every Pupil and believe that all Pupils can achieve, thrive and succeed when provided with the right support.
Our aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and positive learning environment where Pupils feel valued, understood and able to learn effectively. Through a personalised approach, we support Pupils to develop academically, socially and emotionally whilst building confidence, resilience and independence.
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum alongside a wide range of enrichment opportunities that enable Pupils to discover new interests, develop skills and experience success. Pupils are supported to work towards appropriate qualifications, accreditations and recognised outcomes that reflect their individual abilities, interests and future aspirations. We work closely with Parents, Carers and Professionals to ensure that every Pupil receives consistent support and is well prepared for future education, employment and adult life.
As a specialist provision for Pupils with complex SEND needs, we deliver bespoke educational and therapeutic programmes tailored to each individual.
Our curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of our Pupils, ensuring barriers to learning can be identified and addressed. As an attachment and trauma aware school, we recognise that all behaviour is communication and seek to understand the needs that sit behind it.
What truly sets us apart is our integrated therapeutic approach. Our on-site Integrated Therapies Team works closely with Leaders, Teachers and Pupils to ensure therapeutic support is embedded throughout the school day. Rather than being separate from education, therapy forms part of everyday school life, helping Pupils develop the skills they need to regulate emotions, build relationships and engage successfully in learning.
We also maintain strong partnerships with families, local authorities and external professionals to provide joined-up support throughout a Pupil’s school journey and during key periods of transition.
Every Pupil benefits from a personalised package of education, therapeutic support and intervention designed around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations.
- Small class sizes with additional support where required.
- Bespoke learning programmes including targeted literacy and numeracy interventions
- Specialist differentiated teaching.
- GCSE, Functional Skills, and other accreditation pathways.
- Weekly enrichment, outdoor learning and self-esteem building activities.
- Rigorous academic and developmental progress tracking.
- Regular reviews with Parents and Carers to discuss progress and agree targets.
We believe that every Pupil has the right to therapeutic support alongside their education. We recognise that the two are not mutually exclusive, which is why our on-site Integrated Therapies Team (ITT) works closely with Leaders, Teachers and Pupils to ensure therapeutic support is embedded throughout the school day.
Therapeutic support is an integral part of each Pupil’s individual education programme and is designed to meet their social, emotional, behavioural and communication needs. Through assessment, observation, interaction and information gathering, we develop personalised therapeutic approaches that enable Pupils to grow, develop and engage successfully in learning.
Pupils may access:
- Creative Arts Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Individual therapeutic interventions
- Group-based therapeutic programmes
Our therapeutic provision is clinically driven and tailored to individual need. Support may include direct therapeutic intervention, such as one-to-one sessions with a Therapist, alongside indirect therapeutic programmes and strategies delivered throughout the school day. Interventions may be time-limited or ongoing, depending on need and regular clinical review.
The Integrated Therapies Team also provides:
- Consultation and guidance for Teachers and Team Members.
- Support with EHCP reviews and multi-agency meetings.
- Behaviour and emotional regulation strategies.
- Risk management and safeguarding consultation.
- Classroom observations and feedback.
- Sensory environment recommendations.
- Communication-friendly environment support.
- Support for education teams in delivering therapeutic approaches and programmes, such as Zones of Regulation.
- Training, modelling and reflective practice for Team Members.
Our therapeutic model is grounded in attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice. We believe that positive outcomes are achieved when the whole environment supports a Pupil’s growth and development. By working collaboratively with education teams, families and professionals, we create a nurturing environment where Pupils feel safe, understood and supported to flourish.
REFERRALS & ADMISSIONS
Pupil admission to Havencross School is determined through a thorough assessment process. Parents, Carers, and Professionals are encouraged to contact the school for more information once you have read our prospectus. We are happy to consider Pupil consultations at any point of the year.
- Information about the school is supplied to prospective Parents, Carers and Professionals, via the website and by enquiry.
- Parents, Carers, and/or Professionals submit an enquiry for a place at the school.
- Havencross School’s Senior Leadership Team will review the enquiry and make an initial decison if the school is potentially suitable.
- If the Senior Leadership Team consider that the school is a suitable setting, a visit to the Pupil’s current school and home will be arranged to continue to assess suitability.
- Following these meetings, the Senior Leadership Team will decide whether a place will be offered. This process should be concluded within the statutory fifteen-days unless further information is required in which case this will be requested within that timeframe.
- If a place is offered, Parents, Carers and Professionals may be invited to the school for an initial meeting where any further information can be shared. The Pupil will also be invited to attend this initial visit and will be given a tour of the school, where appropriate.
- A member of the Senior Leadership Team will continue to liaise with the Pupil’s previous education provision to gather additional relevant information about the Pupil.
- A date will then be agreed for the Pupil to commence at Havencross School.
- Havencross School will send out a Welcome Pack (Admission & Transitions) which will include information about the school for both Parents, Carers, and the pupil.
- Individual risk assessments will be completed for the Pupil prior to their admission, including an impact assessment.
