GENERAL INFORMATION

 West Gate School is a city special school which caters for a wide range of special needs .We are a popular and over-subscribed setting for 4 – 19 year olds. Over 70% of our pupils have communication and interaction needs. We pride ourselves on being a highly-skilled staff with expertise in managing a broad spectrum of special educational needs. We also believe that ‘Learning for Life’ should apply to everyone, so we are a professional learning community who never stops learning how to improve. Our vision is for every pupil (and staff member) to achieve their potential. We are proud of our forest schools and outdoor learning, our family support offer to parents and our employability and preparation for adulthood curriculum. We also have our Holistic Education and Learning (HEAL) offer, which supports the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils. We want our pupils to be independent and confident citizens. We are rated ‘good’ at Ofsted and successfully repealed a compulsory academisation order in December 2021.

 CONTEXT

 Pupils on Roll: 197
Number of staff: 138

The gender percentages are 23% female and 77% male.
Percentage of pupils in receipt of pupil premium is 31%.

Members of the Senior Leadership Team: Rhian Richardson, Kat Purves, Rachael Wailoo, Tom Blockley, Harry Short, Tracy Hammond.

Curriculum: We have four pathways to meet the range of need. These are Explorers, Horizons, Futures and Preparations.

We moved into our new building in 2014 and
have a range of high quality facilities, including a warm water therapy pool, safe bounce space, sensory room, interactive space, soft play area, D and T room, forest schools area, allotment and spacious outdoor grounds.

HOUSE KEEPING 

 Our School Day
The West Gate school day for pupils starts at 8.50am and finishes at 2.50pm. The majority of our pupils are brought to school on local authority transport. Staff hours are 8.40am—3.30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday 8.40am-4.20pm. Volunteer and placement hours are 8.40am until.
3.15pm. We have whole school training weekly between 3.20 and 4.20pm, which is currently being held virtually.

Our catering is provided by Leicester City Catering. Staff have half an hour lunch taken in our newly refurbished and extended staffroom.  Hot drinks are provided free of charge to all staff. Onsite catering for staff is available on request from the office.

Dress code is smart casual—tailored trousers, no jeans, low cut tops or mini skirts, or clothing with large logos. Covered shoes are required. No elaborate jewellery, heels or scarves.

 All staff are known by their first names. There is a staff photo board in reception. Mobile phone policy: No mobile phones during lessons.

We are a nut free school. Please ensure you do not bring any products continuing nuts or say they have not been prepared in a nut free zone.

We have a school dog called Crash who is part of our therapeutic HEAL offer .Please let the office know if you have any allergies.

USEFUL INFORMATION

 Office hours: 8.00am to 4.00pm

Safeguarding is everybody's business. If you have any concerns please report to the designated safeguard leads: Rhian Richardson, Kat Purves, Rachael Wailoo, Tom Blockley, Harry Short, Toni Evans and Sonia Green. Photos of the DSLs are displayed around school for your convenience.

Access to the school: Via reception at the front of the building (see map below). Parking is available on site.

Please contact the Admin team with the details below for any enquiries and they can help you to find the relevant person regarding your query.

Glenfield Road
Leicester
LE3 6DG