Whatley Campus
We are proud to announce that Whatley Campus opened in September 2022. The original building was constructed in the Edwardian period, converting to a middle school until the early 1980s and then Merton’s Adult Education Centre until 2015. It received some refurbishment to be used for two years for Harris Academy Wimbledon until 2020, providing space for some 350 students. Merton Council adapted and refurbished the building to a high standard specifically considered for the needs of children with autism. The building has been refurbished internally and externally to provide good quality teaching and therapy spaces for students in KS2, KS3 and KS4 who have autism. This includes acoustic treatment to provide a calm, therapeutic environment. The school offers a pathway for GCSEs and provides for children with ASD with higher functioning than currently placed at Cricket Green or Perseid Schools.
Whatley Campus is an expansion of Melrose School under the leadership of Carla Chandler, Executive Headteacher of Melbury College, and is part of the wider Melbury College Federation. The Headteacher of Whatley Campus is Emily Leonard.
This Design Presentation shows the original plans for the Campus and also includes a 3D view of a typical classroom.
Whatley Campus meets a spectrum of high functioning ASD needs with the flexibility for staff to move across sites as needed
Students are supported in small classes (maximum 10 pupils) with highly specialist teaching and support staff as well as a wide range of therapeutic interventions. Onsite speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, CAMHS, music therapy, Lego therapy, art therapy and counselling are an integral part of the provision.
Students in KS2 and KS3 have access to a broad curriculum offer, including the core subjects of English, Maths and Science as well as a wide range of specialist subject areas delivered in purpose built classrooms.
As students enter Key Stage 4 they have the opportunity to take GCSEs and/or Entry Level courses, and a range of other qualifications according to their needs and abilities. Programmes are devised to work on building the skills students need to go on to further study or employment. The broad range of subjects offered, taught by subject specific teachers, includes English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Computing, PE, Art, Music, Food Technology, Citizenship, RE, PSHE and SRE. Additional opportunities for Duke of Edinburgh, ASDAN, Arts Award and Sports Leadership are also offered, and there will be a wide range of trips and visits that students will be able to take part in.
Our goal is to help all students become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. We provide a supportive and nurturing environment for students, following a bespoke curriculum which takes account of individual learning needs. This is supported by close work with a range of professionals including speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, CAMHS, mentoring and educational psychologists.
The refurbished building and grounds provide the following facilities:
- Large classrooms fitted to the most modern standards including interactive whiteboards
- A calm landscaped area including soft play facilities
- An All Weather pitch for more active play
- Specialist facilities for IT, food technology and science
- Therapeutic spaces including a sensory room, therapy room and specialised ‘pods’ for 1 to 1 work
- Large indoor PE space and further hall space, with a kitchen providing good quality dining facilities
