Chesnut Lodge is Centre of Excellence

June 17, 2026

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Chesnut Lodge is a school which provides a welcoming and supportive environment for learners with moderate to severe learning difficulties. The school has a community of around 85 pupils ages 2-16, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care plan. The school provides a full range of personalised therapeutic programmes integrated into daily learning. Chestunut Lodge School has a consistent and impressive commitment to inclusive practice, with thoughtful senior leadership and a focus on meaningful interactions with pupils, families and the wider community. Inclusion is a core part of the school and underpins absolutely every decision that is made. The children are at the heart of the school and their wellbeing is first and foremost. Learning is child-led and the curriculum is challenging and aspirational, with strategies such as sensory regulation, processing time, and constant collaboration with therapy teams used to ensure each child is ready to learn. Chesnut Lodge boasts a high staff-to-pupil ratio, and teaching is highly tailored to each individual to make sure they are included and supported.

Including Everyone

Themes are used to make subjects relevant to all, with opportunities to grow confidence and demonstrate skill. Chesnut Lodge is committed to fostering independence and preparing children for adulthood, enabling them to contribute to their communities and feel included and supported.

Chesnut Lodge really strives to make learning adaptive and responsive to every individual’s needs, with personalised strategies relating to regulation, processing, and communication. The school works with therapy teams to ensure that every learner can access teaching in a dignified manner and everyone will progress and participate. Assessments are tailored to EHCPs and personal goals and milestones, designed to uplift and celebrate every achievement. Progress is measured in small but meaningful steps, supporting growth at all levels without constraining or discouraging. All pupils can access enrichment opportunities such as the on-site swimming pool, with adaptations such as sensory lighting.

Staff have access to wellbeing support initiatives such as gym sessions and an outward facing and encouraging culture, with opportunities for CPD and time to observe and model new therapeutic approaches.

Preparing for the future

As Chesnut Lodge prepares pupils for adulthood, they encourage independence, resilience, self-advocacy, curiosity and positive attitudes. Physical development and physiotherapy targets are concretely linked to goals and personal independence, and pupils have individual “So that I can…” targets. Routines and positive mealtimes bring calmness and structure to the day, while whole school assemblies are designed to celebrate and unite pupils and make sure they feel valued. Chesnut Lodge practises a “neuro-affirming” approach, which recognises and values the minds and needs of neurodivergent people.

Pupils can move between pathways as needs evolve and change, ensuring that they always have the best and most appropriate provision without restriction. Pupils are actively consulted and are given the opportunity to make choices about topics, such as choosing “Famous Faces” they would like to study in secondary class. This ensures learning is relevant, empowering and always inclusive.

Enterprise competition success

One particular strength is the school’s business education and participation in enterprise competition. Last year’s project involved conduction market research, designing and branding products, creating a marketing campaign and presenting their work to external judges. They experienced great success and were winners. This demonstrated the school’s commitment to high expectations, developing a wide range of skills, and raising the profile of learners with complex needs.

We are proud to welcome Chesnut Lodge as a Centre of Excellence and look forward to welcoming them to our Cluster Meetings to share practice with other schools.