Haywards Farm School in Theale celebrates ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted result

A special educational needs school has received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report after opening just over a year ago.

Inspectors rated Haywards Farm School, in Theale, as ‘Outstanding’ in all categories after visiting the school in December.

Their report praised staff for building “strong, caring and trusting relationships” with pupils, who show “genuine excitement” for their lessons.

The report continued: “For many pupils, the school provides a fresh start and vital route back into full time education. Pupils’ self-esteem and confidence are carefully nurtured by dedicated staff.”

Reacting to the news, headteacher Alex Walsh said: “We’re incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved since opening a year ago and how much we’ve grown.

“To be recognised with an ‘Outstanding’ so quickly is unprecedented and is fantastic recognition for everyone’s hard work and total dedication.”

The school, run by Amegreen Children’s Services, is for children aged six to 14 who are unable to go into mainstream education due to having extreme specialist needs, such as autism and ADHD.

One pupil who has benefitted from its care is 11-year-old Jamie, who has struggled in mainstream education his whole life.

His mother Gavina was told Jamie was “naughty” and “extremely disruptive”, leaving teachers unable to teach him within a mainstream classroom setting.

But by the time he reached primary school his real nightmare started, said Gavina.

“No one understood Jamie and he was segregated from the other children and told he was just a bad boy,” she added. “It was heart-breaking.”

Jamie was eventually diagnosed with ADHD and autism and some SENCO (Special education needs coordination) provision was made for him.

Gavina continued: “But when Jamie told me he wanted to die because no-one wanted him and he had no friends, I knew we had to take him out of mainstream education.”

When she and Jamie visited Haywards Farm, they instantly knew it was the right place for Jamie.

“His face just lit up. He felt safe and understood. It was like a miracle,” she added.

“The school has been life-changing for Jamie and us as a family.

“He must be the only child that is upset when the weekend comes because he can’t go to school.”

Another child at the school is 11-year-old Marshall, who is now at his third school and also has ADHD and possibly autism.

His mother Tara explained his second mainstream primary school could not meet his needs or his challenging behaviour in the classroom, but added he now skips into school every morning.

“Words can’t escribe what this school has done for my little boy,” said Tara. “We thought we had lost him and now he is thriving.

Marshall added: “This is the best school ever. I really like everyone and feel like people understand me.

“I also love riding the horses at the stables, I’ve got two badges already.”

The school opened in 2023 in response to the government’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, to address the shortage of specialist schools and set new national standards.

It currently enrols 14 pupils. Annual fees for day pupils cost £52,000. Most pupils’ places are funded by their local authorities.

Each each child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, outlining their special educational support requirements until the age of 25.

Amegreen’s initiative Stable Futures, founded in 2019, helps young people recover from difficult and often traumatic life experiences through its Equine Assisted Learning Centre.

It also provides children’s homes across Hampshire and Berkshire.