Access School in Shropshire provides SEN education within a stable, tailored learning environment for young people aged 6 to 16 with Attachment and Trauma/SEMH/ASD/PDA/MLD.
Access school has established a fantastic reputation as a vibrant, pro-active school dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for our pupils.
Converted from a working farm near Wem, the rural setting is uniquely calming and therapeutic. Pupils who have struggled in mainstream settings are helped to stabilise and thrive in a therapeutic learning environment.
Sarah Earing
Head Teacher
It is my passion to ensure that every child is at the centre of everything we do. At Access School, we see the potential in every student, providing a safe and therapeutic space where they can thrive both academically and emotionally. We are incredibly proud of our nurturing environment and our success in helping young people build the confidence and skills they need for a successful future. We look forward to welcoming you.
Our school, a conversion of a working farm, offers a uniquely calming and therapeutic setting. We specialise in supporting young people with:
● Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
● Attachment and Trauma histories
● Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
● ;Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)
Our therapeutic support is integrated into the school day and includes:
● On-site Therapist: A qualified therapist is attached to the school to provide dedicated support.
● Specialist Facilities: We have a therapeutic village, sensory rooms, and offer activities like story massage to support emotional regulation.
● Small Class Sizes: With a limit on how many pupils can be in each class, we ensure every child receives the individual attention they need.
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum tailored to the individual needs of each student. Our goal is to break down barriers to learning and create lifelong learners.
● Core Subjects: We focus on building foundational skills in English and Maths. "Primary and secondary age pupils are assessed on entry to identify any gaps in their phonics knowledge... As a result, pupils read with accuracy and decode unknown words accurately.” - Ofsted 2024
● Enrichment: We offer a wide range of activities to build confidence and life skills, including our ECO school, young enterprise projects, and looking after our school's chickens and bees.
● Individual Plans: Every student has a bespoke learning plan designed to help them achieve their full potential.
Nurture is the trademark of this school. There are lots of opportunities for pupils to take on responsibilities, including looking after the chickens and caring for the bees.
Ofsted 2024
Term times for Access School are highlighted below. For school closures or other accouncements, parents will receive email notifications and texts. We also post updates on our Facebook page.
Autumn Term 2025
Open: 03 September
Close: 17 October
Half Term:
20 October to 31 October
Open: 03 November
Close: 19 December
Christmas Hols:
22 December to 02 January
Spring Term 2026
Open: 06 January
Close: 13 February
Half Term:
16 February to 20 February
Open: 23 February
Close: 27 March
Easter Hols:
30 March to 10 April
Summer Term 2026
Open: 13 April
Close: 22 May
Half Term:
25 May to 29 May
Open: 02 June
Close: 24 July
Summer Hols:
27 July to TBC
Other Closed Dates
Bank Holidays: All bank holidays including 04 May
PD Days (x5): 01 September 2025, 02 September 2025, 05 January 2026, 01 June 2026
PD days can take the form of days or twilight sessions. Current the 5th PD day is due to be 3 evening twilight sessions dates TBC.
Access School Proprietor: Andrew O'Reilly (andrew.oreilly@family-care.co.uk)
This school received no complaints in 2024/25
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