We are located in Thornaby-on-Tees, which is part of Stockton-On-Tees Local Authority. Along with one of our other Trust academies, Green Gates (ages 4-11), we are the only schools in the borough that cater exclusively for young people with SEMHD and therefore, we have a special and important place within the community. The wider range of partnerships that we have developed all have a very positive impact on the school and its students. There are many exciting opportunities for students at Westlands. We recognise the importance of exposure to, and success, in English and Mathematics for all of our students. As a result, these subjects have the most curriculum time and we expect every student to achieve a nationally-recognised qualification in each of them. In addition to our core curriculum we offer a range of therapeutic, sport, craft, horticultural and workshop activities. We operate a broad and balanced curriculum, including many GCSE and vocational qualifications, which students work towards achieving at the end of Key Stage 4.

Our students really are at the centre of everything we do and we aim to give each one of them an exciting and engaging fresh start in education. We also encourage team participation with schools similar to our own. We are lucky to have a large and experienced, specialised staff team to deliver these aims. There is also the opportunity for students and staff to benefit from the extra support that Horizons Specialist Academy Trust can provide. In particular, we work closely with Hollis Academy and Mo Mowlam Academy in Teesside. These are also an 11-16 SEMHD schools and, together, offer a great opportunity to share ideas, skills, training and facilities for the benefit of all students. Green Gates Academy is our main primary feeder school, so transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 is always well-informed, well-planned and delivered as students make that big step up to secondary school.