Coming Here
The New School at West Heath provides education and support for students in Key Stage 3, 4 and Post 16 who have experienced difficulties in their schooling and who have average or above academic potential.
We accept students on a daily basis or for weekly or boarding. The majority of our students have statements of Special Educational Needs; we do have some places for youngsters who are not statemented.
There are many and varied reasons why mainstream schooling fails. Below is a list of some of the reasons why children have come to us over the years. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Students with:
- A history of school refusal or non attendance usually for a complex combination of reasons, some at home and some in previous school experiences.
- Depression and related problems which in the extreme can lead to self harming and suicide attempts.
- Severe social difficulties as a result of discrimination and bullying.
- Emotional vulnerability.
- Problems of communication and behaviour, the result of underlying receptive and expressive language difficulties.
- Diagnosed physical or mental health conditions which affect mood, concentration and ritualised behaviour.
- Developmental disorders which impact upon concentration and attention.
- Autistic spectrum difficulties including Asperger's.
- Phobias associated with school or more generalised.
- Difficulties forming relationships and interacting socially.
- Conduct disorders.
- An experience of severe family trauma such as accident and bereavement.
- An experience of family difficulties of various types including being a young carer.
- An experience of school failure retreating "into a shell" and unable to verbalise their problems.
- Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- We have been expanding steadily since opening in 1998 and now provide education, therapeutic support and boarding for 120 students.
We place great emphasis on welcoming and supporting new students. We all believe strongly that change is possible and by supporting each other through that change we all grow stronger.
"I am scared of going somewhere where I dont know anyone, and know my school's staff will help me so I can do it on my own. I worry about new things and feel ill and my teachers help me. I want help to be able to do everything on my own", quoted by Year 11 student.
It is our expectation that students who come to us, although they have experienced great difficulty coping with school in the past, do believe in the value of education. We do recognise that sometimes they may find it difficult to admit this to their peers. We work with students who want to be at West Heath and are willing to work with us to change and to use the strategies we teach and the opportunities we offer. We also expect our students to have the capacity to take responsibility for their own actions, develop trust and to work with us. This, naturally is a process and takes time.
Parents and referring agencies considering a place at West Heath are very welcome to contact the school to book an appointment to meet the Principal. When a referral is made the pupil and parents or carers will be invited for an interview and a tour of the school. All students will take part in an assessmnet period of approximately 12 weeks before their place here at West Heath is confimed.