There are also two mainstream general further education colleges in Warrington:

Specialist post 16 institutions

Woolston Sixth Form College developed by leaders across Fox Wood and Green Lane as a specialist sixth form college offer and as a result there are a wide range of vocational options for learners 16-19 years, including the study of horticulture, catering, administration and retail for young people post 16 with EHC Plans with Autistic Spectrum Disorder with Severe Learning Difficulties or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.

Morthyng Vocational College offers an individualised programme to enable learners to achieve English and maths qualifications and participate in work experience opportunities.

Myerscough College is a land based further education college based in West Yorkshire. The College has worked in partnership with the Council and Walton Lea Partnership to establish courses in Foundation Learning, Animal Studies. Horticulture and Landscape Studies in the heart if Walton Hall Park.

Willow Green is commissioned to provide 10 pre and supported internships for learners with ASD and associated learning difficulties to enable young people to progress into paid employment.

Designated provisions in Warrington

There are a range of designated provisions attached to some of Warrington’s mainstream schools for pupils with ASD, cognition and learning difficulties, SEMH and SLCN.

Children who attend a development centre may have a range of needs and may take up a placement on an assessment basis.

Designated provisions help children and young people with SEND to attend a mainstream school and at the same time receive specialist support to meet their needs, they will usually have an EHC Plan unless it has been agreed with the council and school for the child to attend on an assessment basis.

SchoolKey StageType of provision
Bewsey Lodge Primary1Cognition & Learning
Meadowside Primary1Development Centre
Dallam Community Primary1Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Gorse Covert Community Primary1Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Oakwood Avenue Community Primary1Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Woolston Community Primary1Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Bewsey Lodge Primary2Cognition and Learning
Meadowside Primary2Cognition and Learning
Dallam Community Primary2Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Gorse Covert Community Primary2Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Oakwood Avenue Community Primary2Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Oakwood Avenue Community Primary2Cognition and Learning
Woolston Community Primary2Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Bridgewater High School3/4Autistic Spectrum Disorder
St Gregory’s Catholic High School3/4Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Penketh High School3/4Cognition and Learning
Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School3/4Cognition and Learning
Padgate Academy3/4Cognition and Learning

Special schools in Warrington

There are three special schools in Warrington, all are based in Woolston. Green Lane and Fox Wood Schools are located on the same site on Holes Lane at Woolston Learning Village, and Woolston Brook is located across the road on Green Lane.

Alternative provision

Kassia Academy is Warrington’s main alternative provision. There are three centres: Willows, Oaks and Redwood. 

Each centre provides personalised offer to help young people return to mainstream education via specialist social/emotional support.

If a young person is unable to return to a mainstream setting, Kassia will support them in identifying a qualification pathway within our school or another specialist setting, including post 16 opportunities.

They offer 10 alternative provision places for pupils with EHC plans on a single registration basis.

Kassia Academy and Support Services - GOV.UK

Independent and non-maintained schools in Warrington

There is one non-maintained school in Warrington supporting pupils with EHC Plans aged 8 to 16 years with social, emotional and mental health needs.

There are also two independent schools - Bright Futures is based in the south of Warrington in Lymm and Birchwood School is in the north of the town.

1 August 2024