BAKE Alternative Provision and Thrive Centre

Waingels Strengthens Commitment to Inclusion with Launch of Borough-Wide BAKE Alternative Provision and Thrive Centre

Groundbreaking developments are supporting vulnerable young people across Wokingham Borough while maintaining the highest standards of achievement and aspiration

Waingels School is further strengthening its reputation as an inclusive and ambitious school through the launch of two significant new educational provisions that will support some of the most vulnerable young people across Wokingham Borough.

Working in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council, Waingels has unveiled BAKE, a new borough-wide Alternative Provision designed to re-engage students with education through highly personalised and vocational learning pathways. The school has also launched The Thrive Centre (SEND Unit), a specialist provision providing dedicated support for pupils with social communication needs.

The developments represent a significant investment in inclusive education across Wokingham Borough and reflect confidence in Waingels' proven ability to combine exceptional academic outcomes with outstanding support for children and young people with additional needs.

The announcement comes during a period of considerable success for the school. Waingels recently celebrated its strongest outcomes in over a decade, with more than 50% of A Level grades awarded at A*-B, including 26.5% at A*-A. At GCSE, 30% of grades were achieved at Grades 7-9, significantly above the national average of 23%. These outcomes are underpinned by a broad and ambitious curriculum, high levels of challenge in lessons, and a strong commitment to supporting the school's most able learners through well-established programmes for high-attaining and gifted and talented students. This sits alongside the school's high expectations for behaviour, attendance, engagement and personal development.

At the heart of Waingels' vision is a belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background, need or circumstance. The school has developed a highly regarded model of inclusive practice that combines academic ambition with personalised support, demonstrating that excellence and inclusion are not competing priorities but complementary strengths.

Lindsey Humber, Headteacher at Waingels, said:

"These developments represent everything that Waingels stands for. We are an ambitious school that believes every child deserves access to an excellent education, while recognising that young people need different types of support and different pathways to achieve success."

"We are incredibly proud that both the Local Authority and our wider educational community have placed their trust in Waingels to lead this work. BAKE and The Thrive Centre will provide life-changing opportunities for young people who may otherwise face barriers to learning, whilst ensuring they remain connected to their local community and future aspirations."

"There is sometimes a misconception that inclusion and high standards sit in opposition to each other. At Waingels, we believe the opposite is true. Our strongest examination outcomes in over a decade, including more than 50% of A Level grades at A*-B and 30% of GCSE grades at 7-9, demonstrate that when young people feel supported, valued and understood, they achieve exceptional things. We are proud to be a school where academic excellence and inclusive practice go hand in hand, supported by an ambitious curriculum, high levels of challenge and strong provision for our highest-attaining students."

"Inclusion is not an initiative at Waingels. It is part of who we are. These new provisions demonstrate our determination to ensure that every child feels valued, understood and able to thrive."

Building on a Proven Track Record

The launch of BAKE and The Thrive Centre builds upon Waingels' long-standing commitment to inclusive education and its extensive experience in supporting students with a wide range of needs.

Alongside its highly regarded pastoral systems, the school has successfully developed a number of dedicated provisions, including The Succeed Centre for students with social, emotional and mental health needs, The Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, which provides early intervention and targeted support for students experiencing emotional or mental health challenges, and The Den, a dedicated provision supporting students with additional needs within a nurturing and structured environment.

Through these provisions, Waingels has developed significant expertise in helping young people overcome barriers to learning, rebuild confidence, improve attendance and successfully engage with education. This work has demonstrated the powerful impact that personalised support, exceptional teaching, specialist intervention and strong relationships can have on enabling students to flourish both academically and personally.

Recognising the growing demand for high-quality local specialist provision, and working in support of Local Authority priorities, Waingels has now extended this expertise through the creation of BAKE and The Thrive Centre.

BAKE will offer bespoke educational programmes for students who benefit from a practical and vocational approach to learning. Alongside academic study, students will develop resilience, communication skills, employability attributes and positive learning behaviours that support long-term success.

Working closely with schools, families and external agencies, BAKE aims to help students re-engage with education, overcome barriers to learning and secure positive futures while remaining connected to their local community.

The Thrive Centre (SEND Unit): Supporting Students to Flourish

Alongside BAKE, Waingels has launched The Thrive Centre, designed for pupils with social communication needs who require a more personalised and structured learning environment.

Developed in partnership with the Local Authority, the provision has already welcomed its first students and provides specialist support within a nurturing setting that combines high expectations with tailored interventions.

The Thrive Centre combines specialist SEND expertise, autism-informed practice and personalised support with opportunities for students to access mainstream education wherever appropriate. This balanced approach helps young people develop confidence, independence, communication skills and positive relationships while continuing to access an ambitious curriculum and the wider opportunities available within a thriving secondary school.

The provision also supports the Local Authority's vision of increasing specialist support within mainstream settings, enabling more children to access high-quality provision closer to home while remaining connected to their peers, families and communities.

A School Combining Excellence and Inclusion

The development of BAKE and The Thrive Centre reflects Waingels' belief that every child should benefit from both high expectations and the support needed to achieve them.

By leading these new provisions, Waingels is helping to strengthen educational opportunities across Wokingham Borough, increase support for vulnerable learners and ensure more young people can access high-quality education within their own community.

As a school delivering its strongest outcomes in over a decade while continuing to expand specialist provision and support services, Waingels is demonstrating that inclusion, ambition and excellence are not competing priorities but the foundations of lasting success for every young person.

Families interested in learning more about Waingels' inclusive ethos, ambitious curriculum and extensive opportunities for young people are warmly invited to attend the school's Open Evening on Thursday 8 October. The event provides an excellent opportunity for prospective students and their families to meet staff, explore the school's facilities and discover more about the academic, pastoral and specialist support that enables every student to thrive.