At Whitegate End, we create emotionally resilient children and staff with a range of academic and life skills. We prepare our children for life, not only the next stages of  their education, and provide them with the tools to be lifelong learners.

Everyone belongs. The environment we create for each other is safe and gives us the opportunity to challenge each other’s thinking and stand up for the things we feel passionate about.

We thrive when we go out into the ever-changing world and are proud of the memories that we create together.

The Hive

The Hive is a specialist Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Inclusion Base, providing targeted support for children who need additional help to thrive in school.

Located within Whitegate End Primary, The Hive provides a nurturing, structured and inclusive environment where children can develop the confidence, skills and emotional regulation they need to succeed.

Our aim is simple:

To help children belong, feel safe and thrive — both within The Hive and, wherever possible, back in their mainstream setting.

What is The Hive?

The Hive is a 12-place SEMH Resource Base supporting children from across Oldham.

It is designed for children who have significant social, emotional and mental health needs which create barriers to accessing learning within a mainstream classroom. Children accessing The Hive have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which identifies SEMH as their primary area of need.

The Hive is part of Whitegate End and our children remain connected to the wider school community.

We believe that children should not be defined by their needs. Instead, we focus on understanding what is behind a child’s behaviour, what they need to feel safe and what will help them to succeed.

 

Our Approach

Relationships come first. We know that children learn best when they feel safe, understood and valued. Our approach is rooted in strong relationships, consistency and high expectations.

We provide children with:

• predictable routines;

• clear boundaries and expectations;

• supportive relationships with trusted adults;

• opportunities to develop emotional regulation;

• carefully adapted learning;

• opportunities for success;

• time and space to reflect;

• support to understand their own needs;

• opportunities to develop independence and confidence.

We work with children rather than simply responding to their behaviour.

Our approach is informed by our whole-school commitment to nurture, inclusion and trauma-informed practice.

 

Learning in The Hive

Our curriculum combines academic learning with personal and social development. Children receive carefully differentiated teaching across the curriculum, with a strong focus on securing the essential knowledge and skills they need.

Alongside academic learning, we explicitly develop:

• communication;
• emotional literacy;
• social skills;
• independence;
• resilience;
• self-regulation;
• problem-solving;
• confidence.

We use assessment carefully to understand what each child knows, what they need to learn next and what support will help them succeed. Our aim is to ensure that children continue to make meaningful academic and personal progress.

 

Working Towards Inclusion

The Hive is not a destination. Where appropriate, children are supported to increase their participation in mainstream education.

For some children, this may mean spending increasing amounts of time in their mainstream classroom. For others, it may involve carefully planned opportunities to participate in wider school life.

Every child is different.

We therefore work closely with the child, their family, their mainstream school and relevant professionals to identify the right pathway. The ultimate aim is to give children the skills and confidence they need to access education successfully.

 

Outreach Support

Our work is not limited to the children who attend The Hive.

Where appropriate, The Hive provides outreach support to mainstream schools, helping staff develop their understanding of SEMH needs and supporting children who may be experiencing barriers to accessing education.

This can include advice, consultation and support around strategies, relationships, regulation and inclusion. We believe that sharing expertise helps us to create better outcomes for more children.

 

Working With Families

Parents and carers are an essential part of the team. We know that families understand their children better than anyone.

We therefore work closely with parents and carers to understand children’s strengths, experiences, needs and aspirations. Communication is an important part of our approach. We want families to feel listened to, informed and involved in their child’s journey.

 

Working With Professionals

The Hive works collaboratively with the professionals involved in supporting children and their families.

This may include:

• schools and SEND teams;
• educational psychologists;
• CAMHS and other health professionals;
• social care;
• speech and language services;
• occupational therapy;
• behaviour and inclusion services;
• other relevant agencies.

Where appropriate, we contribute to EHCP reviews and multi-agency planning, ensuring that support remains focused on the individual child.

 

Application Process

Applications can only be made by the child's current school SENCO, after an Annual or Interim Review. This should be done in consultation with parents and the child's/school's SEND officer.

Please bear in mind that The Hive cannot be named in Section I on the child's EHCP.

We are currently taking applications for a Spring Term 2027 start. Applications will be moderated by representatives from the Local Authority and Whitegate End.

DfE RISE Project - Inclusion Exchange

You can learn more about the Inclusion Exchange Project HERE.

The School Day

The children will enter the school via the main gate and be welcomed into The Hive from the top playground. The children should arrive at 8:15am for breakfast and registration. We will provide the food, but please let us know of any allergies by completing the relevant registration forms. Children will be picked up from 2:45pm from the same door.

School Dinners

All children in Reception and Key Stage One are automatically entitled to free school meals.

Children in Key Stage 2 are not automatically entitled to Free School Meals. If you wish for your child to have a school dinner, payments can be made via our online payment system. School dinners are currently £3.65 per day. To check if your child is entitled to Free School Meals please visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

If you already receive free school meals, this will continue as normal. Our school dinners are made by Orian and can be ordered via the School Hub app until 9:30am each day.

Snacks

Please make sure your child has a bottle of water and if they would like to bring a snack for break time, please make sure it is either fruit or breadsticks. A piece of fruit and milk is provided free of charge for all children from Nursery to Year Two, as part of a government scheme. Please do not send in sweets, chocolate bars or savoury snacks.

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