Hawley Woods School

Our educational offer combines high academic aspirations with quality pastoral support to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. Small class sizes of 6 pupils allow for personalised teaching, where staff adapt lessons to support different learning needs and starting points. Core subjects such as English, maths, science, World Studies and PE are taught alongside creative and practical subjects including performing arts, design technology, art, Forester, Horticulture, animal care, cooking, creative media, Life Skills, BCE and social Skills. 

In KS2 children are classroom-based with one teacher. In KS3 & 4, children move around the school to their different lessons as they do in mainstream, and have many teachers. 

Pupils benefit from individualised EHCP Programmes where they focus in on their long-term outcomes. Children also continue to build on these throughout their curriculum, with their travelling targets. 

Reading is central to our approach. Every child has daily opportunities to develop their skills through phonics, guided reading and comprehension, supported by a rich library and a culture of reading for pleasure.

We believe that academic achievement is important, but it is only one part of a wider journey. By promoting Integrity, Independence and Creativity, our pupils learn how to achieve, how to work with others, and how to apply their learning in real-world contexts. The result is a curriculum that both challenges and inspires, giving children the confidence to succeed.

Children at Hawley Woods can undertake a range of appropriate qualifications in KS4 to reflect their individual abilities, which range from Entry Levels to Function Skills Qualifications and GCSEs. 

Therapy is an integral part of life at Hawley Woods. Our therapeutic team – including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and emotional literacy support assistants – work closely with teachers to ensure every pupil’s needs are understood and supported.

Support may take the form of individual sessions, small group work, or strategies embedded within daily classroom routines. This ensures that children are developing communication, social and emotional skills alongside their academic learning. Our approach is proactive and collaborative: therapists train staff, share expertise and adapt interventions so that children experience consistency and security.

We also recognise the importance of animal-assisted support and sensory experiences, which can provide additional ways for children to regulate, engage and thrive.

The aim of our therapeutic provision is simple: to remove barriers to learning and to empower children to develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to flourish both in school and beyond.

At Hawley Woods, we know that education must prepare children not just for exams, but for life. Our life skills and PSHE programme gives pupils the tools to become confident, independent young adults.

From an early stage, children take part in activities that develop practical skills such as cooking, shopping, travel training, personal organisation and financial literacy. These experiences are carefully planned so that pupils learn how to apply their knowledge in real-world situations, gradually reducing support as their confidence grows.

As pupils move into Key Stages 3 & 4, the focus extends to work experience, and careers guidance linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks. Our Business, Community and Enterprise curriculum encourages pupils to run projects, set up small businesses and engage with local employers, building teamwork and entrepreneurial skills. All pupils from Year 7 upwards receive 1:1 meetings with an independent careers advisor. 

Through this blend of life skills and preparation for adulthood, pupils will leave Hawley Woods eager to contribute positively to their communities.