A headteacher today said it was an honour to be leading a “trailblazing” St Helens school as pupils joined special guests for its official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Progress Arc in Billinge caters for 42 pupils aged 7-19 with additional needs including children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs), and those whose primary identified need is social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH).
The Carr Mill Road-based independent special school, taken over by education specialists The Progress Group in September this year, ensures pupils receive tailored individual support from specialist teachers and on-site occupational and alternative therapists.
The focus on ensuring each pupil can thrive includes small class sizes – the maximum being six, innovative teaching methods including a dedicated space for students who are struggling or for new students to acclimatise, as well as dedicated learning mentors who support with prevention of crisis and dysregulation. There are also stimulating learning environments such as a sensory room and wellbeing and mental health support specialists on site throughout the week.
To mark its exciting new chapter a special ribbon cutting was held on Friday.
Those attending including an impressed Labour MP for St Helens North David Baines, himself a former teacher, who said: “Seeing the young people and the impact you’re having on their lives is hand-on-heart inspirational.”
He added: “I think every child, whether they are gifted and talented in one area or need lots of support with another are all unique and need the appropriate support and education to reach their potential and that’s what you are working to produce here.”
Others given a tour by staff and proud pupils were Councillor Severiano Gomez-Aspron MBE, Sophie Latta from Chatter-bug and representatives from St Helens, Knowsley and Halton Borough Council.
Staff showed them around various spaces throughout the school site, including the music and dance classroom, art rooms, sports hall and 6th Form area.
The visitors were also able to see a student dance performance, science experiments, examples of their design technology work and therapy spaces.
Alongside the core national curriculum subjects, students study a broad enrichment programme including horticulture, dance classes and a design technology space that allows for real life projects around the school and in the local area.
As part of the school’s open-door policy and pastoral support, parents and carers are also able to contact individual staff, allowing them to air concerns directly with their child’s teacher, mentor or a member of the leadership team.
Headteacher Susan Fletcher said: “It is an honour to be the headteacher of Progress Arc -Billinge school as it embarks on this exciting journey with The Progress Group. Our wonderful teachers, occupational and alternative therapists and of course pupils and supportive parents make it a truly a trailblazing alternative provider of choice so it was fantastic to welcome our special visitors today so they could see this for themselves.”
