Admissions

Merrywood Criteria & Process

Merrywood Education educates children with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).

All children must have an Educational Health Care Plan to be considered for admission. We analyse children’s files on a child-by-child basis and will take into consideration the children we have onsite whilst consulting with parents and local authorities on new intakes.

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Merrywood Education – School of Opportunities

All children will require a SEMH provision.  We support children with historical and current trauma and/or the below:

ADHD
ASD
Anxiety
Self-harming and suicidal ideation
Attachment difficulties
Speech & Language difficulties
Dyslexia or Dyspraxia
Low self-esteem
Speech and language and communication difficulties
Sensory needs
Literacy and numeracy difficulties
Looked After Child

Merrywood Criteria & Process

Merrywood Education educates children with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).

All children must have an Educational Health Care Plan to be considered for admission. We analyse children’s files on a child-by-child basis and will take into consideration the children we have onsite whilst consulting with parents and local authorities on new intakes.

register now

All children will require a SEMH provision.  We support children with historical and current trauma and/or the below:

ADHD
ASD
Anxiety
Self-harming and suicidal ideation
Attachment difficulties
Speech & Language difficulties
Dyslexia or Dyspraxia
Depression
Lived within a violent and abusive home
Low self-esteem
Display challenging behaviour
Attention and concentration difficulties
Speech and language and communication difficulties
Sensory needs
Literacy and numeracy difficulties
Looked After Child
Parent with Mental Health Needs
Excluded from mainstream education

In addition to this the children will require the following support:

Therapeutic environment and interventions

Small classroom settings

Nurturing and home like environment which is stable and consistent

The space to explore their own feelings, emotions and behaviours

The majority of children will have faced the feelings associated with; exclusion, feeling different from others, isolation and resentfulness. 

We understand the psychological effects of exclusion and our model has been developed with a trauma informed approach, whilst keeping nurture and boundaries at the core of our daily school lives. 

We want every child to feel safe and happy to attend school, primary school is the time when a child should learn, play and build the skills relevant to a successful career educationally and socially. 

consultations and referrals

All admission referrals will come directly from the local authority. A SEN case worker will send the paperwork through to Merrywood, known as a consultation. Merrywood will then undergo a formal assessment and come to a decision whether or not we can meet the child’s needs.

The majority of our consultations are located from London boroughs, Surrey, Kent, Sussex and East Sussex.

We follow the National Schools Contract 2013 – for more information click on the link https://www.nasschools.org.uk/national-schools-contract/national-schools-contract-2013/

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Available Spaces

Tadworth Campus – FULL

To join our waiting list please complete the online waiting list form.

Admissions Form

Testimonials

What Our Parents are Saying

“As part of our Virtual School Team meeting, we have an agenda item which allows members of the team to give a ‘Shout Out’ to professionals they feel have either gone over and above for young people or they wish to commend for the approach they take to working with Looked After Children in general.

You received a ‘Shout Out’ from Lisa for the support and care you have provided for the Hillingdon LAC you are currently working with.

In Lisa’s words…. Merrywood are the most trauma informed provision I have worked with. They are incredibly child focused and allow ***** to learn in a nurturing environment with plenty of amazing opportunities to explore nature and access therapeutic intervention. He has an excellent OT provided sensory diet and a curriculum built around his individual strengths and needs. As a result of all the above, ***** is building relationships, remembering people’s names, and making above expected progress academically from his starting point. His reading age has improved by 1 year in just 5 months. The team around ***** are amazing!

It is important to me and the Virtual School team collectively that this work is recognised and praised. Thank you for all that you are doing for our young people.”

Hillingdon Virtual School for Looked After and Previously Looked After Children and Care Leavers

“Merrywood school is really good for our son. They have taken the time and experience to really understand his needs and help him feel safe at school. This means he is able to enjoy learning and make friends. Merrywood listens to us as parents and regularly adapt their approach to reflect our sons changing needs. Their on-site therapy provision means all his needs can be met in one place with people he can trust.”

Tim (Y4 Parent) – Spring Term 2021

“From the moment we first visited Merrywood, we fell in love with the school, the setting and their ethos. The school is set in a beautiful old Manor House in stunning grounds surrounded by woodland. We were made to feel like family the moment we arrived for our first visit. Their goal is to provide trauma informed therapeutic style school. The passion and dedication shown by Michelle and all the staff is truly amazing. Our son had struggled in both mainstream and special needs schools his whole life but he felt at home at Merrywood from day one. Our son craved a therapeutic school and Merrywood and all the staff provided everything he needs to thrive. We have had our ups and downs but the staff have been great and have done everything they can to support our son, us and the entire school family.”

Luke (Y5 Parent) – Spring term 2021