New integrated resource provision to support students with speech and language opens at Carleton High School

The provision offers 20 places for students and has been developed in partnership with the local authority, who also provided funding for the project.

It addresses a growing need for enhanced mainstream support for students with additional communication needs.

Housed in a fully renovated former caretaker’s bungalow, the space has been redesigned to create a high-quality, fit for purpose learning environment.

It combines the benefits of mainstream education with targeted specialist support.

Students within the provision will follow personalised timetables, enabling them to access a broad and balanced mainstream curriculum alongside their peers, while also benefitting from bespoke interventions tailored to their individual needs.

These interventions are carefully designed to support students in meeting the outcomes outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with a particular focus on developing communication skills, confidence and independence.

Headteacher Shaheen Shariff, said: “As headteacher, I am incredibly proud to open our new Integrated Resource Provision.

"This is a significant step forward in enhancing our SEND support, enabling students with speech, language and communication needs to access personalised provision alongside mainstream education. At Carleton High School, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed.

Claire Hughes, Director of Inclusion and Safeguarding for Pontefract Academies Trust, added: “Our enhanced mainstream provision reflects our commitment to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their speech, language or communication needs, can thrive academically and socially.

"By combining full access to the mainstream curriculum with personalised timetables and targeted specialist interventions, we can address each students’ unique strengths and challenges with precision and care.

"For our students with EHCPs, this tailored approach enables them to make meaningful progress towards their individual outcomes while remaining firmly rooted in the life of the school. "This model not only raises achievement, but also nurtures confidence, independence and a genuine sense of belonging – helping our students to flourish today and in the future.”

By bridging the gap between mainstream and specialist education, the new resource provision will play a key role in improving student outcomes