Willow Tree Park
Alicia Highton
Willow Tree Park Headteacher
Welcome to Willow Tree Park
I’m delighted to welcome you to our school community. Here at Willow Tree Park, we pride ourselves on being more than just a school. Our goal is to create a warm, nurturing environment where your child feels supported, understood, and inspired to reach their full potential.
We understand that every child is unique, with their own strengths, needs, and ambitions. That’s why we take a highly personalised approach to education, ensuring that each student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Whether it’s through our tailored learning plans, engaging activities, or the dedicated care of our staff, we are here to help your child grow in confidence and ability.
At Willow Tree Park, we believe in celebrating the small victories just as much as the big ones. It’s our mission to foster a sense of achievement in every student, helping them develop not only the skills they need for the future but also the self-belief that will carry them through life.
I’m incredibly proud of the strong, supportive community we’ve built here and the bright futures we’re helping to shape. I look forward to welcoming you to Willow Tree Park and working together to support your child on their journey.
I hope that you will find all the information that you need about our school, on this page below.
About Us
Willow Tree Park is set within the picturesque village of Lymm in Cheshire.
Providing high quality, inclusive education for young people with complex learning, communication and sensory integration needs. The curriculum is personalised to ensure that each student can achieve their academic, social and life-skills potential.
Our school looks to build around the individual life circumstances of each student and their family by offering both flexible day and residential placements:
Day placements can support young people to live at home whilst still allowing them to access meaningful specialist education, and in addition offer extended day provision that aids with family resilience.
Residential placements are generally available on a 52-week basis.
‘Creativity’ and ‘Individuality’ being our trademark, support can be stepped up or down throughout any students’ school career.
If you’d like to find out more about our specialist educational settings, and how we can cater to the unique needs of your child, feel free to get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to assist you.
Ofsted
Our Vision
Here at Willow Tree Park we support students to ‘awaken their potential’ through great quality education.
Our person-centred vision is to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student thrives, empowering students through personalised learning experiences, fostering independence, resilience, and confidence. We strive to create a supportive community that embraces diversity, encourages personal growth, and prepares our students for their futures, both academically and socially.
We Work Together
We Care
We Learn and Grow
We're a Safe Pair of Hands
Meet the Team
Alicia
Head Teacher
Jonny
Deputy Headteacher
Helen
Assistant Headteacher
Kerry
School Business Manager
Amy
Teacher
Chloe
Teacher
Laura
Teacher
Emma
Teacher
Justyna
Teacher
Lucy
Teacher
Bridie
Teacher
Holly
Teacher
Chloe
Teacher
James
Teacher
Tom
Teacher – Sports Lead
Chloe
Teacher in training
Danielle
Teacher in training
Stacey
Pastoral Lead
Clare
Pastoral-Outreach Lead
Leanne
Pastoral Lead
Polly
School Dog
Stephanie
Senior Learning Mentor
Shannen
Learning Mentor
Erin
Learning Mentor
Jonathan
Learning Mentor
Katie
Learning Mentor
Tara
Learning Mentor
Gillian
Learning Mentor
Megan
Learning Mentor
Phoebe
Learning Mentor
Helen
Learning Mentor
Hannah
Learning Mentor
Sara
Learning Mentor
Harriet
Learning Mentor
Emily
Learning Mentor
Sophie
Learning Mentor
Ian
Learning Mentor
Emily
Learning Mentor
Victoria
Learning Mentor
Clair
Learning Mentor
Amanda
Learning Mentor
Caroline
Learning Mentor
Ainslie
Learning Mentor
Carmella
Learning Mentor
Sarah
Transition Lead
Jean
Community Support
Phil
School Caretaker
Kenneth
School Caretaker
Neala
School Administrator
Ingrid
School Administrator
Laura
Catering Assistant
Melissa
Catering Assistant
Charman
Catering Assistant
Curriculum
Careers
At Willow Tree Park, we are committed to providing a comprehensive Careers Education and Guidance programme that inspires and equips students to achieve their full potential. Led by our Careers and CIAG Lead, Leanne. The programme is integrated across all subjects, ensuring students gain the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about their future.
We follow the Gatsby Benchmarks, delivering employability skills, work-related learning, and career pathway exploration. Our Careers curriculum is further supported by independent advice from a careers advisor and ongoing encounters with employers, workplaces, and further education providers.
We also welcome support from local businesses and education providers for work experience, careers talks, and networking opportunities.
If interested, please contact our pastoral team: pastoral.team@brightfuturescare.co.uk.
Career Learning Spirals
School Policies
Calendars
Safeguarding
If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact the school on 01925 750249 to speak to:
Alicia Highton (Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead).
Jonny O’Connor (Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Safeguarding Lead)
Kerry Platt (School Business Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)
We are proud that safeguarding is an integral part of the ethos of Willow Tree Park. A safe and caring environment helps our students flourish into confident, happy people with a positive outlook on life.
We listen to any concerns or worries our students have and act accordingly to support them and make sure they are well cared for. Our links to outside agencies, our own student counsellors and our safeguarding team’s commitment to student welfare provides the extra layer of protection some students require.
Our safeguarding team all have regular external training to allow them to do their job with skill, knowledge and confidence. All staff working in the school have safeguarding training annually. This covers general safeguarding requirements, a deeper focus on a topic that is relevant at the time and a section on the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This gives all the staff the confidence they need to notice potential problems and raise any concerns in a timely and appropriate way. They receive weekly safeguarding training to ensure safeguarding is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
We think it is important to work in partnership with parents, carers and outside agencies to keep children safe. There are occasions when our concern about a student may mean that we have to consult other agencies. Whilst we would always aim to work in partnership with parents there may be exceptions to this when concerns are raised for the protection of a student.
On very rare occasions Social Care professionals, whilst undertaking an investigation under s47 of the Children Act 1989, may want to speak to a student without parents’ knowledge. This would be a decision made in collaboration with partner agencies and would only be done in situations where a student might be at immediate risk. To gain consent at this point may increase the level of risk to the student or cause evidence of a crime to be lost.
To promote a safe environment for students, our recruitment policy includes all checks on staff and regular volunteers’ suitability, including Criminal Records Bureau checks, as recommended by Warrington County Council in accordance with current legislation.
The procedures, which we follow, have been laid down by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with this for the safety of all. If you want to know more about our procedures, please speak to the Headteacher: the Policy can be found below.
For further information and useful links:
Warrington Safeguarding (this has lots of links to helpful organisations and information and is also where you can report a concern about any child living in Warrington).
NSPCC (helpful information about how to safeguard children and links to get support).
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
Child Exploitation -Face Up To It
Further information on Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance visit: KCSIE: 2024
Equality & Diversity
At Willow Tree Park, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every individual is valued, respected, and supported to achieve their full potential. We recognise and embrace the unique strengths, abilities and needs of all our students, staff, and community members. We actively promote equality and diversity in all aspects of school life, ensuring that differences are celebrated, and every individual is treated with dignity.
We believe that a diverse community enriches our learning environment and helps prepare students for life beyond school. Our curriculum is designed to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are committed to removing any barriers to learning, participation, or progression, and to ensuring that all students, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background, have equal opportunities to succeed.
We maintain zero tolerance for discrimination, bullying, or harassment in any form. We strive to create a safe and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels they belong and can contribute meaningfully.
Community
At Willow Tree Park, we are deeply committed to giving back to our local community and nurturing active citizenship in our students. Guided by our dedicated Student Council, which makes the final decisions on our community service initiatives, we empower students to lead and make a positive impact. Already, they have organised projects such as creating dementia fiddle pads for local nursing home residents and knitting hats, cannula sleeves, and blankets for the local neonatal unit. These efforts not only support those in need but also help our students develop a lifelong sense of service, leadership, and compassion.
School Council
Our School Council is dedicated to making a positive impact not only within the school but also in the wider community. The council works collaboratively to lead initiatives focused on giving back. From organising charity events and fundraising activities to volunteering in local projects, the School Council empowers our pupils to be active, compassionate citizens. Through their efforts, they learn the value of teamwork, leadership, and social responsibility, all while making meaningful contributions to the community around them.
Allotment
We are proud to have a thriving allotment that offers a wonderful outdoor space for our students to engage with nature, develop life skills, and learn about sustainability. Our allotment is an inclusive environment where pupils of all abilities, can explore planting, growing, and harvesting a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It's not only a place of learning but also a hub of creativity and teamwork, fostering a sense of community and well-being.
Animal Sponsorship
We sponsor an animal each year from Walton Gardens' local petting zoo, helping to support the care and well-being of the animals while fostering our students' connection to nature. This partnership provides a unique opportunity for our pupils to learn about animal care, conservation, and the importance of giving back to the community.
Community Book Swap Box
At Bright Futures, we encourage a love of reading through our small community library and Book Exchange Box, located just outside the school. It's a great way for families and the local community to share their favourite books, discover new stories, and promote the joy of reading. Feel free to stop by, exchange a book, and share the magic of reading with others!
Family Support
At Willow Tree Park, we understand the unique challenges that families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities may face. This page is designed to offer guidance, reassurance, and practical assistance to help you navigate every step of your child’s education journey. We work closely with families to ensure that both parents and students feel supported and empowered.
Whether you need help understanding your child’s needs, accessing school resources, or just a listening ear, our dedicated team is here to assist. We offer a range of services, from emotional wellbeing support to guidance on the EHCP process, all tailored to meet the specific needs of your family. By working together, we aim to create the best possible environment for your child to thrive.
Contact Information
For any family support queries, please reach out to our Pastoral Team. You can contact them directly using the details below:
Phone: 01925 750249 (School Office)
Email: pastoral.team@brightfuturescare.co.uk
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Early Help – Early help | warrington.gov.uk
Many of our families benefit from the support of Early Help, this ranges from respite, housing to specialist support with children with disabilities/SEN. Please see the below description and link for further information;
The purpose of Early Help is to prevent any issues from getting worse by offering support at the right time. Any professionals working with your family, such as those based in schools, health services, and in voluntary sector organisations, can offer Early Help services as soon as they can see that advice, support and/or intervention may be needed.
*We work with many other Local Authorities, if you would like support accessing Early Help outside of Warrington, please get in contact with one of our Pastoral team.
Virtual Tour
Take a look around Willow Tree Park.
Gallery
Contact Us
- Booth's Ln, Lymm, Cheshire, WA13 0GH
- 01925 750249
- brightfuturesschool@brightfuturescare.co.uk
