Below you’ll find our most frequently asked questions, answered by our Principal Paddy Sandham.
What is the age range of students?
7-19 year old males
How is independence and social interaction supported?
At Whinfell School, we prioritise the development of independence and social interaction in every aspect of our young people’s experience. Social interaction is nurtured through both structured and informal opportunities. Our dedicated social thinking lessons provide a focused environment where young people learn essential communication and social skills. Beyond the classroom, informal times such as break and lunchtimes offer relaxed settings for social engagement, whether that be playing games, sharing conversations about the world and universe over morning breaktime scones and jam, or enjoying activities like playing pool in the games lounge.
These varied opportunities encourage young people to build friendships and develop their social confidence in ways that feel natural and enjoyable. Independence is developed through our comprehensive Preparing for Adulthood course, which equips young people with practical life skills such as budgeting, managing a home, cooking independently, travel training, and work skills. For our residential young people, independence is further supported by involving them in household responsibilities like washing and cleaning, fostering self-reliance and day-to-day life management. This holistic approach aligns with national guidance that emphasises preparing young people for successful adult lives by supporting them to make informed choices, participate in society, and develop essential skills for independent living. At Whinfell, we work closely with families and young people to ensure that these experiences are tailored to individual needs, helping each young person to achieve their potential and thrive in their community.
Is therapy offered to all students when needed?
At Whinfell School, therapy support is an integral part of our holistic approach to meeting the individual needs of every young person. We offer therapy through a skilled multi-disciplinary team that includes Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, as well as Educational and Clinical Psychology. Upon arrival, each young person undergoes a comprehensive baseline assessment not only by our teaching staff but also by our therapy team. This thorough evaluation ensures that we understand the full range of their needs. Following this, the team collaborates closely to develop a bespoke therapy plan tailored specifically to support the young person’s development and well-being, aligned with their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This personalised approach ensures that therapy is provided whenever it is needed, helping to promote progress across all areas of learning and personal development.
How does communication between home and school work?
At Whinfell School, we place great importance on maintaining close and open communication with parents and families. We actively encourage family visits to the school, fostering strong relationships between home and school. Our staff maintain regular contact with parents, providing weekly updates to keep families informed about their young person’s progress and well-being. From an educational perspective, we provide three detailed written progress reports each academic term, ensuring parents have a clear understanding of their child’s development. Additionally, we hold annual reviews at the school and participate in all other relevant meetings, including Child Looked After (CLA) and Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings. This collaborative approach ensures that families are fully involved in the young person’s education and care, supporting consistent progress and well-being.
Are there quiet places for students to access, if the common room is busy/noisy?
At Whinfell School, we are committed to fostering a calm and nurturing environment that supports the well-being of every young person. Understanding that some young people may feel overwhelmed in busy or noisy spaces, we provide multiple quiet areas for retreat and relaxation. Our snug is a particularly cosy space, designed with low lighting, comfortable bean bags, a swinging egg chair, and weighted blankets to create a soothing atmosphere. In addition to the snug, there are two lounges available for quieter socialising or downtime. For our residential young people, their own bedrooms serve as personal safe spaces where they can relax and feel secure. These thoughtfully designed environments ensure that all young people have access to calm, quiet places to support their emotional and sensory needs.
What is the staffing ratio? Is 1-1 support offered?
At Whinfell School, our core staffing ratio is two young people to one member of staff, ensuring a supportive and attentive environment. However, we recognise that some young people may require more personalised support, and therefore, one-to-one (1:1) support is available when needed. This level of individualised support is carefully considered and agreed upon with the local authority to ensure it meets the specific needs of the young person. This approach allows us to provide tailored assistance that promotes both learning and well-being effectively.
What does the assessment visit look like?
At Whinfell School, the assessment process begins promptly upon receipt of the referral, along with all relevant documentation such as the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and therapy reports. We prioritise a collaborative approach by engaging in discussions with all those involved in the young person’s care and education to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their needs. A key part of the assessment is meeting the young person and their family or carers. This meeting can take place in two ways - either as a relaxed visit to their home for a chat over a cup of coffee or a visit to Whinfell School itself. During a school visit, families have the opportunity to tour the facilities and gain a sense of the nurturing and supportive environment we provide. This personalised and thoughtful approach helps ensure that both the young person and their family feel comfortable and well-informed as they consider joining our community.
What are the class sizes?
Our classes are deliberately kept small to provide the best possible learning environment for our young people. Typically, classes have no more than 3 young people. This small class size is especially important because many of our students have gaps in their learning due to missed days in education.
We group students predominantly by year group, but we also consider individual ability when organising classes. This approach allows us to tailor learning to each young person’s needs, ensuring they receive focused support and the opportunity to progress academically and socially in a calm, nurturing environment.
What does behaviour management look like?
At Cambian Whinfell School, behaviour management is centred on creating a calm, safe, and supportive environment where young people can learn and thrive. We use a therapeutic PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) to understand and reduce challenging behaviours. This approach helps staff to connect with young people in a way that lowers anxiety and builds trust.
Our environment is carefully structured to be stable and secure, with well-planned routines that provide predictability something particularly important for young people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Staff receive specialist training in autism awareness, and individual behaviour strategies are informed by our multi-disciplinary team to ensure they meet each young person’s unique needs.
Are staff trained in understanding Autism/ conditions leading to students being understood and seen?
At Whinfell School, all staff are highly qualified and receive comprehensive training to ensure they fully understand Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) as well as other conditions that affect our young people, including ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Much of this training is delivered by our specialist therapy team and is carefully tailored to meet the unique needs of our cohort. This bespoke approach ensures that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to see and understand each young person as an individual, enabling them to provide the most effective support and create a nurturing, calm environment where anxieties are lowered and social and academic skills can flourish.
Our commitment to ongoing professional development means that staff continually update and refine their understanding, ensuring that the care and education we provide is of the highest standard and truly responsive to the needs of our young people.