Founded in 1923, Westholme School comprises: Prep (Boys and Girls aged 4–11), Senior (Boys and Girls aged 11–16) and the INSPIRED Sixth Form (Boys and Girls aged 16–18).
Academic. Westholme provides an educational approach rooted in a broad curriculum and deep pastoral care that educates the whole child. What happens inside the classroom will always be at the core of our existence. Our pupils leave us with excellent A level results, the consequence of first-class teaching on the part of committed and experienced staff all the way from Reception to the Upper Sixth. While the majority of our pupils continue in education to university, increasingly our former pupils are taking advantage of exciting degree apprenticeship opportunities with local employers.
Co-curricular. Complementing our academic provision is a rich programme of co-curricular activities. Whether it be in performing arts, sport or one of the many other opportunities we offer, these are often the times when our pupils develop their personalities and what we at Westholme know are 21st Century Essential Skills.
The Performing Arts are a special feature of the school. There are several school choirs and students have the opportunity to learn a string, brass or wind instrument and to play in the school orchestras or wind ensembles. Co-curricular drama includes the full-scale spectacular musical, in-the-round productions, club and house competitions, while make-up and costume design are popular options at GCSE. Sport is also strong, with particular success in hockey, football, netball, athletics and swimming. The range of other co-curricular activities is vast.
Pastoral care. Surrounding all of this is a thick layer of pastoral care. Emphasis on the wellbeing of every member of the community could not be higher on our agenda. We focus on the all-round development of every individual child and ensure that the right level of support and challenge is in place. There is no such thing as a typical Westholme child; we take every child for who they are, develop their passions, build on their strengths and work on their weaknesses.
Westholme pupils also learn the importance of taking responsibility for themselves and for those around them, fostering the values that will generate young people ready to make a positive impact on the world around them. The world around us is as challenging as it is exciting, and we recognise our responsibility to develop young people prepared to take on those challenges.
Environment and facilities. Set in the rural Lancashire countryside of Pleasington on the edge of Blackburn and the Ribble Valley, Westholme School is situated on one site with the newly constructed state-of-the-art Prep. The first-class facilities on site provide a stimulating environment to inspire students and includes a full-sized professional theatre that seats 500; a fully equipped professional Music Department; seven modern laboratories that support the three separate sciences; a 20-metre swimming pool; 7 hard courts for tennis and netball, a floodlit Astroturf, sports pitches, fully equipped sports hall and a new strength and conditioning gym. The Learning Resource Centre has open-access multimedia giving students full research facilities. The INSPIRED Sixth Form wing offers excellent facilities complete with common room, computer workstations and café.
Prep. The newly purpose-built Prep building is a fabulous addition to Westholme, now providing a truly unique through-school experience. Children aged 4–18 are wholeheartedly empowered with access to superb facilities and academic opportunities. A rich co-curricular provision enables children to develop 21st century skills as well-rounded young adults and progress into Seniors as articulate, confident and delightful individuals.
Senior. Westholme offers a warm family feel, academic rigour and an extensive holistic curriculum which is extensive in both breadth and depth. Our pupils are happy, foster intellectual curiosity, are independent learners and develop 21st century skills in a wide range of disciplines. Small-class teaching is combined with a pastoral care system through which every pupil is known and valued. The progress of each pupil is carefully monitored by teaching staff, form tutors and Heads of Year, and the school believes in a close partnership with parents. Most of the students continue their studies at INSPIRED Sixth Form as the culmination of our educational provision.
INSPIRED Sixth Form. Students experience 1:1 support and guidance during every step of their INSPIRED Sixth Form journey to ensure each individual is motivated to reach their own exciting aspirations. Every member of the INSPIRED Sixth Form takes full advantage of the Westholme innovative leadership programme and develops invaluable skills for the 21st century workplace. We are absolutely elated to win the Independent School of the Year 2023 for our Careers programme and proud to receive national recognition for our excellent students’ careers provision. Over 90% receive their first-choice university and a significant number of students continue their further education at Oxbridge universities, studying Medicine and Law. We are proud of our outcomes and our wonderfully well-rounded young adults make friends for life.
Admission. While most children make transitions at typical points of Reception, Year 7 or Year 12, this is by no means the binding rule as midstream entries are welcome at any point throughout the year providing the year group is not full. Due to demand for places, parents are advised to make an early application by completing a registration form online. Prospective parents are welcome to book appointments to meet the Principal and have a tour of the school. The Annual Open Evening is held on the first Thursday of October each year.
Tours and expeditions. Regular overseas trips are run including recent sports tours to Madrid, ski trips, World Challenge to Costa Rica and drama performances at Disneyland, Paris.
Westholme Association. Many parents choose to join the WA committee and help to organise events and raise money to benefit our students.
Transport. Private coaches run from Accrington, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Colne, Chorley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Leyland, Preston, Standish, Ribble Valley, South Ribble, the Rossendale Valley and Wigan.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Sixth Form and Senior: £5,335; Upper Prep and Lower Prep: £4,087.
Scholarships. Academic scholarships are available for entry into Year 7 and Year 12 for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability (8 subjects at 7–9 with at least 4 at 8–9 at GCSE for Year 12). Scholarships are also available in Performing Arts and Sport.
Charitable status. Westholme School is a Registered Charity, number 526615. It exists for the education of children between the ages of 4 years and 18 years.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chairman: Mr J Backhouse, LLB Hons
Vice Chairman: Mr D J Berry, BA, FCMA, MIBM
Mrs B Abraham
Mrs J Conlon, BSc Hons, MRICS
Ms H Crosby, ACA , BSc Hons Mathematics
Dr R Dobrashian, MBChB, FRCR
Mr O McCann, BA Hons
Mrs D Northin, B Ed Bath, NPQH
Mr N Oldham
Mrs V Robinson-Hoy, BA Hons, Modern Languages
Miss P Williamson
Clerk to the Governors: Mr B C Marsden, FC
Principal: Mr Paul Taylor, BA Hons, PGCE, NPQH
Commercial Director: Mrs Vivienne Davenport, MA Oxon
Deputy Head (Academic): Mrs Louise Cowan, BA Hons, PGCE
Deputy Head:(Pastoral): Mrs Jude Gough, BA Hons, PGCE, MISTC
Head of Prep: Mrs Carla Hornby, BSc Hons
Deputy Head of Prep: Mrs Judith Dixon, BA Hons, QTS
Head of Sixth Form: Mr Jonathan Oracz, BA Hons, PGCE