Our School Offer
Our aim is to provide pupils with a range of opportunities so that they can reach their full potential.
Redefining education
We redefine education by seamlessly integrating three essential pillars: education, therapy and futures. We don't just educate; we nurture support and propel our pupils towards a future where their potential knows no bounds. Join us on a transformative journey, where education extends beyond textbooks, therapy and nurtures resilience, and futures are shaped with purpose and promise.
Education
We foster an excitement and a love of learning in our pupils by following the national curriculum. Our curriculum and tasks set are challenging yet achievable, enabling children and young people to grow in confidence and prepare for life beyond the classroom. We also provide enrichment activities through educational visits and field trips to support and enhance learning experiences.
With a backdrop of our small class sizes, with no more than nine pupils per class, each child and young person receives a bespoke curriculum tailored to their needs, which is fully integrated with our social development programme.
Our commitment to a well-rounded education includes a focus on social development. Through activities that promote collaboration, friendship, social interaction, and teamwork, pupils build essential interpersonal skills. These experiences help them develop communication, empathy, and the ability to work well with others. By developing friendships and a sense of community, children and young people learn to value diverse perspectives and support one another, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that strengthens their social growth.
The results speak for themselves as young people leave us with nationally recognised outcomes at a level that is right for them, ranging from entry-level certificates to functional skills, BTECs and GCSEs. This equips them to confidently take their next steps into further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Our outstanding offer
We provide unique learning opportunities for our pupils to help them engage with learning so that they can develop skills and grow in confidence to become proud members of our school community.
We have officially partnered with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which was set up by one of the world’s greatest sporting icons. The aim of the organisation is to support and develop sports activities for children and young people all over the world.
The school’s state of the art Cruyff Court, is an all-weather pitch which supports small group sports, including football, basketball, volleyball and netball, and an additional grassed field area. The aim of the space is where pupils can grow, make friends and improve their mental health.
The Court was officially opened by Jackie Groenen Manchester United Woman’s star and Johan Cruyff Foundation’s Ambassador.
To gain an appreciation of the outdoors, pupils access outdoor education where they are given weekly opportunities to explore new activities in and around the local area and the North West. The school is in close proximity to Rivington Pike, a local landmark and part of the West Pennine Moors, which is steeped in history and is the perfect setting for walks. Whilst taking part in outdoor education, pupils can participate in a range of activities, including:
- Climbing Canoeing
- Bush craft
- Cycling Survival skills
Working together to tackle tasks, pupils develop a range of skills that are easily transferable into many aspects of their lives, including the classroom and their home environment.
Participating in new and exciting activities enable pupils to take calculated risks that empower them, resulting in increased confidence and intrigue for their next challenge.
Working as part of a team also helps pupils to develop and sustain relationships with peers and teachers, so that they are able to work effectively and master new skills to complete tasks.
The dedicated campus, although located on a separate site, is a seamless extension of Cumberland School. The setting is committed to providing Year 10 and 11 pupils with opportunities to further their learning, experience and personal skills.
Pupils move to the Station Road Campus, where they access the highly equipped learning environment, coupled with bespoke educational and vocational opportunities, and experiences to prepare them for adulthood. They are equipped with skills and understanding to become independent, resilient individuals, ready to contribute positively to their communities and fulfil their personal potential.
The provision offers pupils a full suite of GCSEs, as well as additional qualifications, vocational options and life skills programmes through a personalised curriculum. The campus is led by a dedicated and experienced staff team who have the ability to bring real meaning and purpose to all teaching and engage pupils so that they are able to pursue their chosen career path with knowledge and confidence.
The Station Road Campus is equipped with a fully functioning kitchen that supports catering qualifications; motor vehicle and construction areas to support related vocational qualifications; subject specialist classrooms and designated teaching areas.
Bringing learning to life
Maggie Allred, Key Stage 2 Teacher has 25 years of teaching experience. Combining her skills, she has been instrumental in setting up the new primary provision with invaluable input from the in-school Therapy Team and staff across Witherslack Group schools.
The provision encourages the development of life skills and nurtures positive relationships, enabling children to feel confident and accepted, the building blocks to thrive.
Here, Maggie shares details of the curriculum pupils follow, and how transitions from primary to secondary is made easier with a fully supported pathway to ensure that they are familiar with their future learning environments, teaching and support staff, and peers. She also shares moments that make her incredibly proud.
Therapy
Our on-site Clinical Team provide pupils with unrivalled levels of therapeutic support, in terms of the level of expertise, the ratio of qualified therapists and clinicians to children and young people, and the range of therapies offered. Pupils have the support of our Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other specialists as required.
We believe that unless a child or young person is able to feel emotionally safe and secure, they are less likely to fulfil their personal, social and educational potential. Our unique approach to supporting young people through our Wave Model enables them to go on to realise a future filled with aspiration and achievement.
Cumberland School's Clinical Team complete thorough and skilled assessments that support a shared understanding of the complex needs we see in our children and young people. This enables us to put purposeful and appropriate interventions in place and assess our effectiveness through the tracking of outcomes and impact.
Futures
At Cumberland School we are dedicated to raising the aspirations of our pupils, while also equipping them with the skills and confidence to realise outstanding outcomes.
The Futures programme inspires and connects pupils with their next steps beyond education, utilising a growing network of over 350 employer partnerships, including the likes of Microsoft, Mercedes and John Lewis, to provide outstanding experiences of the workplace and ongoing opportunities and support.
Our Futures sessions provide practical guidance on job applications, confidence-building, networking, and workplace expectations, giving children and young people the tools to navigate their career paths with clarity. Complementing this, our Futures curriculum enriches academic growth while developing personal development and career readiness, ensuring they are prepared for their chosen paths. With no upper age limit on support, the programme boasts a 100% success rate in transitioning students into education, employment, or training.