A school for children with specialist needs that opened in a converted farmhouse on the Englefield Estate just 18 months ago, has been judged ‘Outstanding’ in all areas after an inspection by Ofsted.

Haywards Farm School opened in September 2023 in the former farmhouse at Theale following a collaboration between the Englefield Estate and Amegreen Children’s Services, to transform the building and create a bespoke learning environment.  The Estate now lets the building to the education provider.

The school delivers education specifically aimed at children unable to attend mainstream schools because of a range of conditions including autism, attention deficit disorder, hyperactive disorders, cognitive brain delay, trauma and sensory overloads.

Haywards Farm School’s opening was in direct response to the Government’s Special Educational Needs and Disability and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, designed to combat the shortage of specialist schools and to set new national standards.

Englefield Estate’s Head of Rural Property and Land, James Meade, said: “We were delighted to have worked with Amegreen to transform the farmhouse into a small, bespoke school and to have helped address the local need for specialist schools in the area. 

“It is so important for children with additional needs to be able to attend good, local schools and we were very happy to have played a small part in their success by converting this building to give it an important new use.” 

Alex Walsh, Headteacher at Haywards Farm School, said: “To be the Headteacher of such a forward-thinking, nurturing therapeutic primary school is a real privilege.

“We're incredibly proud of all we've achieved since opening a year ago and how much we've grown. For this to be recognised with an ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted so quickly is unprecedented and is fantastic recognition for everyone’s hard work and total dedication."