The Summercombe Centre
SEND at the Heart of LWC
A meaningful holistic approach Every child with SEND has a story to tell – and the Curriculum Support Team in Summercombe ensures every one of them can both tell and live their unique story; the challenges and the triumphs.
Dr Brigitte Wood
Senior Head of SEN and Inclusion
“Young people are brilliant, and it’s a joy to see them achieve and believe in themselves. I want to support them and be their advocate, giving them a voice when it might otherwise get lost. We believe it’s important that students feel listened to. At LWC, neurodiversity is embraced by the whole school, not treated as an add-on, and understood through a meaningful, holistic approach.”
“ Equity is rooted in the understanding that every pupil is unique and that their needs may differ. It involves responding to learners in real time, adapting support and challenge so that all pupils can access learning successfully. By recognising and addressing individual needs, we strive to create a level playing field where every child is given the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential. “
An Inclusive Education
Summercombe for the individual Our SEND learning space, the Summercombe Centre, is a safe, warm, and welcoming environment where every pupil feels supported, valued and calm. It is a place that belongs to pupils, a place where their individual needs are seen, heard and understood. At LWC, we foster a culture of respect, understanding and acceptance, where pupils feel emotionally secure and free from stigma. Predictable routines and clear structures help reduce anxiety, particularly for pupils with autism, ADHD, or anxiety-related needs. We help young people become inwardly self-confident and outwardly modest - a style of learning that has earned us national recognition by the Association for Character Education. Every child is met where they are, with personalised strategies that build confidence and promote success.
In short, we want every pupil with SEND who walks through our doors to feel:
I am safe. I am welcome. I am understood. I can succeed.
Curriculum Support aims to set pupils with SEND or EAL on a path to independent learning and success by developing their individual strengths, building confidence and self-esteem. We have high expectations and aim to maximise opportunities and success for all.
A Holistic Approach
Collaboration for success The Curriculum Support department works seamlessly with the academic and pastoral teams, to ensure best outcomes for pupils at every stage of their journey. There is a strong partnerships between the pastoral team and the Curriculum Support team, through regular meetings with Houseparents, Heads of Year and the Health Centre. The Curriculum Support team works collaboratively with teachers to implement effective, practical strategies. As advocates for all pupils with SEND, they ensure each child’s needs are met, understood and valued by the wider teaching team.
1200 Acres of Discovery
Quality First Teaching
Many pupils with SEND succeed at LWC through High Quality First Teaching (Wave 1 support) in lessons, and by building on their individual strengths and strategies that support their needs. Learning differences require resilience but are not viewed as barriers to success. Some students need support to develop their potential. They benefit from a personalised approach tailored to their needs, which helps build confidence and develop skills that promote independent learning. This approach includes consideration for classroom strategies, exam arrangements, subject choices, timetable load and access to external professionals, including specialist teachers within our Curriculum Support department.
“At Summercombe people help me when things feel tricky, but also celebrate my wins, even small ones. I feel understood and able to try new things. Coming here makes me know I belong and that I can really succeed at LWC.” 4th Form pupil
Every pupil is unique
Interventions include: Targeted group and one-toone support in English, maths, science and study skills with Learning Support Consultants. * Where appropriate, short-term interventions may be delivered based on need, these may include targeted group interventions e.g. ELSA, reading comprehension and study skills support. One-to-one support in the classrooom is not part of our offering for SEND pupils. * Please note there are additional charges for 1:1 lessons
Pupil profiles We have one-page profiles for all pupils with SEND, which staff embrace. These profiles enable the teaching team to understand how best to support and extend every child in their class by recognising and adapting to each pupil’s specific learning styles and needs. Adaptive teaching empowers teachers to develop inclusive practice by focusing on truly knowing their students and responding to their individual needs. Rather than relying solely on extensive pre-planned resources, it prioritises identifying barriers to learning and understanding each learner in order to adapt teaching effectively.
Adaptive teaching This approach recognises that pupils may require different starting points and varied ways into a topic to achieve success. Some children may need additional support or scaffolding to access learning, following the principle of teaching to the top while scaffolding to support those who need it most. Ultimately, adaptive teaching acknowledges that pupils in the same classroom do not learn in the same way or at the same pace.
Pupil-led Campus Design
Spaces to live and breathe
‘The dining room has different zones and areas that are quieter and means I do not have to sit with big groups and can be with a small group of friends.’ 5th Form pupil
Both inside and out we provide many spaces for pupils to feel at ease Within the 1200 acre estate, LWC consists of dozens of buildings, from the timetested comforts of boarding houses, to the neurodiverse design-led dining hall and our state-of-the-art science centre, Flowers. Summercombe sits in the heart of our campus as part of our philosophy of inclusion. The Summercombe Centre is a light, airy space with several teaching pods, areas for connection with other pupils, a group training area and the team’s offices. Our door is always open At LWC, supporting SEND goes beyond the Summercombe Centre itself; it’s a whole-school approach. Our facilities are designed to meet diverse needs and create environments where every pupil can thrive. The Library offers a calm, safe space where some pupils feel more comfortable spending time during breaks or working independently.
Outside, our sensory garden provides a tranquil area for reflection and relaxation. Together, these spaces ensure that SEN support is embedded across the school, allowing pupils to learn, grow, and succeed in environments that suit them best. The Barn, our Health, Strength and Conditioning space, helps pupils use exercise to manage stress, build focus and to make new friends.
Links with Schools
Joined up thinking We are proud of our close links with a range of feeder prep and primary schools, both locally, and further afield. The Admissions and Curriculum Support teams work closely with prep and primary schools, liaising to share detailed information and insights about each pupil. This collaboration helps to ensure that transitions are smooth, wellinformed, and tailored to the child, enabling continuity of support and a positive start in their new setting. Pupil development, particularly for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), is not always linear; progress may fluctuate over time, with periods of rapid development alongside times when additional support or adjusted approaches are required.
This reflects the unique and evolving nature of each child’s learning journey, and provision is therefore regularly reviewed and adapted to ensure it remains responsive, appropriate, and effective.
Ensuring Fairness for All
Raising expectations We support exam success through tailored assessments and appropriate access arrangements Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) ensure all pupils can fairly show their abilities in formal exams, following JCQ national guidelines. These arrangements do not give an advantage or alter what is assessed, but help remove obstacles for those with learning needs, disabilities, or temporary difficulties. Arrangements must reflect a pupil’s regular classroom practice and be backed by evidence. At LWC, Curriculum Support works with teachers and the exams team to monitor and review these arrangements. Examples of EAA include supervised rest breaks, extra time, or a word processor, if this matches the pupil’s normal way of working and JCQ guidance. Exam access arrangements are reviewed in Fourth Form and confirmed for GCSEs. This applies even where earlier professional reports recommend access arrangements. In line with JCQ guidance, arrangements may be added or removed based on current evidence of need. A medical diagnosis alone does not automatically lead to extra time and supervised rest breaks must be considered and trialled where appropriate.
JCQ Disclaimer Exam access arrangements are provided in accordance with the regulations of the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). Arrangements are subject to eligibility, evidence, regular review, must reflect a pupil’s normal way of working and cannot be guaranteed. All decisions are made to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of public examinations.
“Students find ‘no stigma’ to accessing support and praised the medical and wellbeing team. The class we dropped in on was punchy and entertaining, with bright-eyed pupils confident to express their views – teaching at its best.” The Good Schools Guide 2026
Language support (EAL) The Summercombe Centre addresses the needs of international students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) across all year groups. Pupils are assessed to identify the support they require, and teaching staff have access to each student’s learning profiles and strategies.
The Admissions team conducts a language assessment using the Password platform. Password’s online diagnostics assess proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. By providing a reliable and standardised measure of current levels, the assessment enables the College to determine whether a pupil has the language competency required to access the curriculum and to identify the level of additional language support that may be needed. Pupils receive instruction in small groups or on a one-to-one basis and are prepared for qualifications such as iGCSE English as a Second Language in the 4th and 5th Forms, and IELTS in the 6th Form. The courses are designed to develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, ensuring that pupils meet university entrance and visa requirements while complementing their standard English Language and Literature studies. Significant emphasis is also placed on pastoral care, enabling international students to settle confidently and thrive in their new environment.
The Curriculum Support Team can be contacted via the Admissions Team on 01256 862201 or by emailing admissions@lordwandsworth.org.
Dr Brigitte Wood Senior Head of SEND and Inclusion
Sophie Henderson Jones
Alicia Jones
SENCO
SEND Lead Practictioner
Jo Harrop
Lisa Mahoney
Exams Access Arrangement Specialist Teacher
Exam and SEND Assistant