Woodlands School

Woodlands is a specialist provision catering for children and young people aged nine to sixteen who have Special Educational Needs (SEN), specifically Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). We provide education for up to 84 children and young people with EHC plans on a non-residential basis.

“This is a happy school where staff and pupils get along well and staff want the very best outcomes for pupils.” This is what Ofsted found when they recently inspected us and we are so proud that our report reflects our commitment to our children and young people, and to their families.

There is a thread that runs through our history of being a school that supports vulnerable pupils who have often experienced trauma in their backgrounds, be that adverse childhood experiences or educational trauma before they found their way to us.

We believe in this approach, where high expectations are combined with high support and a “we know you can, and we will help you” attitude, will help our children and young people achieve what we know they are capable of. As a result, Ofsted judged our Behaviour and Attitudes as “good” as well as our Personal development, testament to the bespoke support we give to each of our children and young people who consequently feel understood and valued by the adults who support them.

Our curriculum is broad, balanced and ambitious. We provide a strong academic curriculum to GCSE / Level 2 and additionally a bespoke approach through our ‘Oaks’ provision, which includes elements of the academic curriculum and also vocational learning both in school and off-site. The curriculum is centred around the needs of the child or young person set out in their Education, Health and Care Plan and is reviewed frequently.

The Marches Academy Trust values each person equally. We are committed to building a diverse team and embedding a welcoming, inclusive culture that encourages diversity and authenticity. We believe this will encourage creative ways of thinking – ensuring we collaborate more effectively and achieve better outcomes.

Achievement through caring drives our Trust, and our values are shared throughout our family of schools; we work together on embedding them in everything we do.

Headteacher

Julia Taylor