History
Walton Leigh School opened in September 1968 to accommodate 92 children from the ages of 2-16 years. Previously the children attended a Junior Training Centre based in a church hall in Weybridge. The school was originally managed by the Department of Health and did not come under the Department for Education until 1971 when our pupils were deemed as ‘educable’! Pupil numbers expanded, reaching 140 in the early 70’s when Manor Mead School opened and the catchment area was divided.
Over the years many changes and adaptations have taken place –
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A Further Education Unit was opened to enable pupils to remain in education until 19 years of age.
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A swimming pool was built.
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Demountable blocks were added for meeting facilities and a classroom block.
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A sensory room was added.
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Staffing and support services increased. Originally classes had 20 pupils with just one untrained teacher, now we have classes of an average of 8 pupils with one teacher and three assistants.
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Equipment has changed from home made cards to high tech standing frames and switched controlled computers.
One of the biggest changes occurred in 1991 when the school ‘age phased’ and became a secondary school with Manor Mead becoming the junior one. The building again had many adaptations to accommodate senior pupils.
The latest change occurred in September 2008 when the School became a Specialist School in Cognition and Learning. In both 2006 and June 2009 Ofsted graded us as “outstanding”.
Other major changes have been in budget control and the responsibility for managing our own budget and buildings. In 1990/91 we managed a capitation budget of £2,550, which, by the time we took out all essentials, left us with £95 to spend on furniture and equipment for the whole year. In 2009/10 we manage a budget of £1,542,040!
In its entire history the school has only had two head teachers, Pat Irwin and Linda Curtis, three deputy head teachers, Frances Alexander, Karen Eastwood and Linda Mardell.