Welcome to Westlands School Website

Our school makes day provision for 105 children and young people aged from 5-16 years. It also has a 15 place residential facility.

All of our young people have statements of special educational need relating to their behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). A major leadership and management challenge has been to organise and develop a differentiated curriculum model to meet the needs of students who have a wide range of cognitive ability. Teaching groups are organised so that those with similar needs and abilities are taught together and can therefore access specialist teaching which is appropriate to them as individuals.

The staff at Westlands School are committed, caring and supportive of all its students' and seek to help them achieve the best educational standards of which they are capable. They are passionate about helping disadvantaged young people to develop appropriate ideals and values and to acquire a level of independence which will aid them in securing a successful future. On federating with Abbey Hill School & Technology College in April 2006 the new Governing Body expressed its determination to continue these traditions as part of the ethos of Westlands School.

This website presents a range of information about the school's curriculum, organisation and other activities which we hope will enable you to appreciate the kind of environment we are striving to provide. However, the success of this school is due in no small measure to the support we receive from parents, students, staff, outside agencies and governors and so we would welcome any feedback or suggestions on how we can improve on what you see.

I think it is appropriate at this point of ' welcome ' to inform you that I shall be retiring at the end of August 2009. My successor as Executive Head Teacher of Stockton Borough First Federation is Elizabeth Horne who is currently Head Teacher of a large special school in Edinburgh.

With very best wishes for the future to all Westlands staff and students.

Mike Vening

Executive Head Teacher