Wider community

Our Foundation extends beyond our School and College. We actively engage with and contribute to the wider specialist education community, working closely with schools, local authorities and organisations to share our expertise in supporting children.
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Calderdale SPC

Specialist Provision Cluster

The William Henry Smith Foundation also acts as the Chair School for the Calderdale Specialist Provision Cluster (SPC).

This initiative is intended to assist all mainstream schools in ensuring that SEND students achieve optimal outcomes through a carefully crafted, sequential curriculum. The SPC has a proven history of effectively addressing the needs of students in mainstream settings through various methods, including targeted specialist training and support initiatives.

As a non-profit cluster of special schools, we aim to offer free or low-cost training, development, and support.

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Wider Community

Engage In Their Future

William Henry Smith Foundation chairs the national association "Engage in Their Future," which unites school leaders within the SEMH sector to improve standards and outcomes for children facing complex needs.

This collective voice advocates for better practices and policies, providing a platform for sharing good practices and peer support among schools across the country.

Sue Ackroyd, Principal of William Henry Smith School, serves as the Chair of Trustees for Engage in Their Future. With over 35 years in specialist residential education, she brings extensive experience to the role. Under her leadership, William Henry Smith School has been instrumental in steering the organisation's strategic direction. They regularly host significant events for Engage in Their Future, including the National Conference and National Awards.

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Sue Ackroyd CEO Engage
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Wider Community

External Training and School Support

As an outstanding school, our aim is to share our specialist knowledge and skills to improve outcomes for children with complex needs. Our Learning and Development department offers workforce development opportunities externally.

We develop and share effective practices locally, regionally and nationally. We engage in pioneering research in SEMH, delivering training and upskilling sessions to various stakeholders on the following topics:

  • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) training

  • PRICE training and refresher training

  • Behaviour Support Reviews

  • SEMH Training including Attachment and Trauma, Mental Health, Managing Anger and Understanding Self Harm.

For more information on the types of training we offer and dates of pre-arranged training, please contact us at [email protected].