The Designated Provision is a specialist unit, within a mainstream setting, providing a fully inclusive and accessible educational pathway to students with a variety of cognition and learning needs. At the designated provision, we create an ambitious personalised learning pathway, for each student based on individual needs, preparing them for post sixteen education, employment, and adult life.
Our PRIDE values in the Designated Provision:
In the Designated Provision, we strive to create an environment, that like the rest of the academy, encapsulates the PRIDE values, developing well rounded and responsible individuals:
Positivity– We drive a culture of positivity by embracing the unique qualities of all our students, ensuring that everyone in the designated provision feels valued and accepted for who they are. This environment of inclusion empowers students to thrive academically and socially, celebrating their diversity and that of others as strengths.
Resilience – We create a supportive learning environment that focuses on strengths and provides individual instruction for students. This personalised approach develops resilience that is crucial for learners with additional needs as they navigate through their academic journey. They are encouraged to face challenges and adopt a mindset that sees setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Integrity– Students in the designated provision are integrated fully into the wider school community. They are expected to uphold values of integrity by making ethical choices, demonstrating honesty and a sense of responsibility, in line with Padgate Academy student charter and behaviour policy. Through this we seek to develop a moral compass based on positive human values and guide individuals to become responsible members of society.
Determination– We know that students with strong determination skills report more success and a greater quality of life. We want students in the designated provision to develop their decision making, problem solving, goal setting and self-regulation skills so that they can become more independent and ambitious individuals. We encourage our students to try new things, identify and work towards their goals and we will always support and encourage them with this, regardless of their barriers to learning.
Endeavour – We recognise that every young person is unique and has their own way of seeing and understanding the world around them. In the designated provision we celebrate this by designing a curriculum that caters to each individual need, whilst encouraging students to explore, innovate and strive for greatness in all aspects of their personal and academic lives
Inclusive practice in the provision:
Students in the Designated Provision can:
· Be part of a form group.
· Access mainstream lessons, where appropriate.
· Undertake a range of qualifications.
· Take part in trips, visits, and enrichments.
· Integrate during social times like break and lunch.
· Access specialist teaching within the provision
· Access the full PD curriculum alongside mainstream peers.
· Access to all mainstream, whole school and year group initiatives, assemblies, incentives, competitions, and rewards.
How the designated provision is organised:
- Teaching takes place in small groups, this allows for a more personalised learning, with support always available if needed.
- Learning is always multi-sensory. This ensures that every lesson is inclusive and engaging.
- Students have individually planned timetable that includes all elements of the curriculum with an emphasis on the teaching of English and mathematics. Every student has access to a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum.
- Students access mainstream lessons as part of their timetable when appropriate and this is encouraged.
- All students access a mainstream form group and participate in the personal development curriculum, our ‘Pride Lessons ‘on a Friday morning.
- The curriculum is planned collaboratively with mainstream subject specialist teachers.
- Extra-curricular and enrichments activities, alongside educational visits are embedded within all aspects of the curriculum to develop students’ awareness of cultural capital.
- Students may access intervention when this is necessary.
Frequently asked questions
How many places are in the Provision?
There are twenty places available in the designated provision.
How do I apply for a place in the Designated Provision?
Places in the designated provision are allocated by the Local Authority and this allows pupils living in any area of Warrington to join us. Your child must already have an Educational Health Care Plan, those with the primary area of need being cognition and learning being considered first, and, despite the support being offered, show that he/she is not managing in a mainstream classroom. Through the statutory review process as a parent/guardian you can express the desire to move to our Designated Provision and/or the school may advise this to better meet the educational/additional needs of your child.
How would my son or daughter get to Padgate Academy if it is not within walking distance?
Some of our students are provided with a Local Authority funded taxi service to and from school. Students eligible must live more than two miles away from school, or, be an exceptional circumstance. This decision would be made by the Local Authority not Padgate Academy.
Can I visit the Designated Provision Unit?
Yes, you are more than welcome to have a look around the unit giving you the opportunity to ask any specific questions you may have.
Please ring 01925 822632 and ask for Mrs Bretherton (SENCO) or Joanna Smith (Designated Provision Lead Teacher) to arrange an appointment.
