Episode #3
If you're too frightened to take risks, nothing is ever going to happen! (CC Ep3)
What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Five Acre Wood school in Maidstone, Kent (affectionately known as FAW) is the largest special needs school in the UK; currently catering for 878 pupils aged between 4 and 19 with a wide range of needs such as those with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Medical needs, sensory challenges and those on the autistic spectrum. Pupils at Five Acre Wood School are grouped into one of eight learning approaches, which provide a personalised curriculum and learning environment that reflects their individual learning style, strengths, needs and priorities, supporting their holistic development and preparation for a fulfilling adult life. The School operates across four distinct sites and it boasts a range of bespoke facilities to meet their learner’s needs. They currently employ 525+ staff and are supported by an NHS school nursing team, NHS physiotherapists and have their own therapy team (Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists), a Social Worker and family support team. I discovered FAW through a post on LinkedIn where ITV news were celebrating the school’s achievements and what I was particularly drawn to was the innovative approach to the development of life skills through a partnership with Costa, where children roast coffee beans and sell them in a retail space as well as developing hospitality skills, confidence and practical knowledge in the FAWrient express, a café set within a beautifully restored former train carriage. With a little more investigation, it turns out that this is just one of many innovative projects which the school have developed to offer pupils new and exciting ways to access the curriculum. I was also fascinated by the varied learning spaces on offer, some schools have an old double decker bus as a library or a train carriage perhaps but how many have a retired Airbus, a 7 FAW 7 no less, a freefall lifeboat as a counselling space, and I mustn’t forget ‘Maidstone Radio Faw All’ a community online radio station funded and run by the school. The purpose of this forward-thinking school is ‘To achieve new possibilities whilst preparing pupils for their life journey’ through an inclusive culture of ‘One Wood, Many Trees’ and I am sure you will be unsurprised to learn that the school has been nominated in the Top 10 shortlist for the World’s Best School Prize 2026 by T4 education ‘in recognition of its innovative approach to inclusive education and life skills development.’ The sentinel pines and canopy guardians who with their far-sighted leadership, stand strong in the storms and nurture their community include: Peggy Murphy, the Principal at Five Acre Wood School, Tim Williams Headteacher at the Loose site and Kirstie Hemingway Headteacher of Satellite Provision. Useful links: Five Acre Wood School RadioFAWall Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast. Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434
