The Garden School is a specialist community special school in Stoke Newington, serving 199 pupils aged 4 to 19 with autism across two Hackney sites. The school places each child's individual needs and goals at the centre of its work, delivering a curriculum designed to be ambitious, communicative, opportunity-rich, resilient, and responsive to individual learning profiles. Rated Good across all categories in its most recent Ofsted inspection (December 2024), The Garden School holds National Autistic Society accreditation, Arts Mark status, and RIBA recognition for its facilities. The school provides a highly specialised learning environment supported by integrated speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and positive behaviour support teams, with post-16 provision extending through to age 19.
Wordsworth Road, Stoke Newington, London, N16 8BZ (main site); The Pavilion, 28 Ickburgh Road, E5 8AD (second site)
4–19
199
200
Good (December 2024)
Community Special School
Autism
Yes
Raymond Lawrence (Executive Principal, appointed October 2024)
The Garden School's identity is rooted in a person-centred philosophy that prioritises understanding and responding to the individual communication, sensory, and developmental needs of pupils on the autism spectrum. The school's mission centres on enabling each child to make progress in their learning, social development, and independence, with an explicit commitment to tailoring pathways and interventions to the child rather than expecting the child to adapt to a fixed model. This ethos is reflected in the school's curriculum design, which is structured around named pathways—Foundations, Curiosity, Discovery, and Enquiry—that allow pupils to progress at their own pace and according to their emerging strengths and interests.
The atmosphere is calm, welcoming, and highly structured, designed to reduce anxiety and support self-regulation. Staff maintain high expectations while demonstrating deep knowledge of autism and each pupil's learning profile, fostering a culture where challenge is balanced with compassionate, responsive support. The school's approach is underpinned by evidence-based autism practice, with integrated therapeutic support from speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and positive behaviour support specialists embedded into daily routines rather than delivered in isolation.
Recognition of the school's work includes National Autistic Society accreditation, Arts Mark status, and RIBA awards for the design of learning spaces that accommodate sensory needs and promote accessibility. Under the leadership of Executive Principal Raymond Lawrence, who joined in October 2024, the school continues to develop its provision, with recent investment in facilities including The Pavilion site on Ickburgh Road, which extends the school's physical capacity and specialist resources.
As a special school serving pupils with autism, The Garden School does not participate in national KS2 or GCSE performance tables, and outcomes are measured through individualised progress frameworks rather than standardised attainment metrics. The school's curriculum is broad and ambitious, covering the full range of National Curriculum subjects while adapting content, pace, and delivery methods to meet the diverse learning needs of its pupils. Literacy, numeracy, and communication development form core priorities, with a strong emphasis on functional skills, independence, and preparation for adult life.
The school structures learning through four main pathways. Pupils in the Foundations pathway engage with sensory and exploratory learning, developing early communication and self-care skills. The Curiosity pathway builds on these foundations, introducing structured learning in literacy and numeracy alongside social and emotional development. Discovery pathway pupils work towards increasing independence and academic progression, while the Enquiry pathway prepares learners for Key Stage 4 and post-16 study, with a focus on accredited qualifications, vocational skills, and transition planning.
Support is highly individualised, with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) guiding provision for all pupils. Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and positive behaviour support are integrated into daily practice, delivered by qualified therapists working closely with teaching staff. The school employs strategies rooted in autism-specific pedagogy, including visual supports, structured routines, sensory breaks, and communication aids tailored to each child's preferred communication method, whether spoken language, sign, symbols, or AAC devices.
Ofsted's December 2024 inspection judged the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, early years provision, and sixth form provision all as Good. Inspectors noted that pupils make strong progress in communication, reading, writing, and numeracy, and that behaviour is well managed, with the school maintaining a calm and secure environment. Bullying is rare, and safeguarding arrangements are comprehensive. The school has a track record of sustained good performance, having been rated Outstanding in a 2014 full inspection.
Post-16 provision continues through to age 19, focusing on preparation for adulthood, with pathways tailored to each student's post-school goals, whether further education, supported employment, or day services. The curriculum at Key Stage 5 emphasises life skills, independence, communication, and accredited qualifications at Entry Level and Level 1, supporting transitions to adult services and community participation.
The Garden School operates across two sites in Hackney, with the main site on Wordsworth Road and a second site, The Pavilion, on Ickburgh Road. Both sites are purpose-designed to accommodate the sensory and spatial needs of pupils with autism, featuring sensory rooms, quiet spaces, outdoor learning areas, and specialist teaching environments. RIBA recognition reflects the quality of the school's physical design, which integrates accessibility, sensory sensitivity, and flexibility into the built environment.
Extracurricular opportunities are tailored to pupils' interests and developmental needs, with activities designed to support social interaction, creativity, and physical development. The school holds Arts Mark status, indicating a commitment to arts and creative education, and pupils have access to music, drama, art, and movement-based activities adapted to their abilities and preferences. Outdoor learning and physical education are integral to the curriculum, with outdoor spaces used to support sensory regulation, physical development, and exploration.
The school's therapeutic and pastoral provision is comprehensive, with integrated support from speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and positive behaviour support practitioners. Programmes such as Understanding Autism are used to train staff and support families, ensuring consistency of approach and understanding across home and school settings.
The Garden School is a specialist provision exclusively serving pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for autism. All 199 pupils on roll have a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum condition, and the school's entire curriculum, environment, and staffing model are designed to meet the specific needs of this cohort. The school does not operate as a mainstream setting with a SEN unit; it is a dedicated special school with expertise in autism education.
The school's approach to SEN support is holistic and person-centred, integrating therapeutic interventions into the daily curriculum. Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and positive behaviour support are not add-ons but core components of the educational model. Staff are trained in autism-specific strategies, including TEACCH, sensory integration, visual supports, social stories, and communication frameworks tailored to each child's profile.
Parents should be aware that admission to The Garden School requires an EHCP with autism as the primary need, and applications are coordinated through Hackney local authority's SEN team. The school does not operate an open admissions process; placement decisions are made through statutory assessment and consultation between the local authority, the school, and the family.
The Garden School operates under specialist school admissions procedures and does not follow the standard primary or secondary school application routes used by mainstream Hackney schools. Admission is restricted to pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that identifies autism as the primary need and names The Garden School as the appropriate placement. The school does not have a defined catchment area in the traditional sense, as pupils are placed based on needs assessment rather than proximity.
Parents seeking a place at The Garden School must first ensure their child has an EHCP in place. If the child does not yet have an EHCP, parents should request a statutory assessment from their local authority. Hackney residents work with Hackney Council's SEN team, while families from other boroughs liaise with their own authority. During the annual review process or during initial assessment, parents and professionals may request that The Garden School be considered as a placement option. The local authority makes the final decision, considering the child's needs, the suitability of the provision, and availability of places.
The school has a capacity of 200 and currently has 199 pupils on roll, indicating near-full occupancy. Competition for places is driven by the school's reputation as a specialist autism provision and its Good Ofsted rating. Families value the integrated therapeutic support, autism-specific environment, and continuity of provision through to age 19. Places become available when pupils transition to post-16 settings or when year groups have capacity, but availability fluctuates and is managed by the local authority's SEN placement panel.
There is no fixed application deadline for specialist schools in the way there is for mainstream Reception or Year 7 entry, as placements are needs-led and can occur at any point in the school year. However, parents are encouraged to engage early with the EHCP process and to visit the school as part of their decision-making. The school welcomes visits by appointment, and families should contact the school office directly or work through their SEN caseworker to arrange this.
Parents should note that the local authority has a duty to consult with the school before naming it in an EHCP and to consider parental preference, but the final decision rests with the authority, taking into account the child's assessed needs, the school's capacity to meet those needs, and the efficient use of resources. If disagreement arises, parents have the right to appeal through the SEND Tribunal.
The Garden School is a well-established, highly specialised autism provision that delivers a curriculum and environment tailored to the complex needs of its pupils. With Good ratings across all areas in the most recent Ofsted inspection, integrated therapeutic support, and post-16 continuity through to age 19, the school offers a consistent, person-centred approach rooted in best practice for autism education. National Autistic Society accreditation, Arts Mark status, and RIBA-recognised facilities demonstrate the school's commitment to quality and continuous development.
The school's strengths lie in its structured, calm, and responsive environment, its emphasis on communication and independence, and its integrated model of therapeutic intervention. Staff have high expectations and deep knowledge of autism, and the curriculum is broad and ambitious while remaining flexible enough to accommodate diverse learning profiles. Behaviour is well managed, safeguarding is robust, and pupils make strong progress in communication, literacy, numeracy, and personal development. The addition of The Pavilion site extends capacity and resources, supporting the school's growing roll and enhancing specialist provision.
For parents seeking an autism-specific setting in Hackney, The Garden School represents a strong option, particularly for families who value person-centred planning, long-term continuity (4–19), and a holistic approach that integrates therapy and education. The school's near-full occupancy reflects demand and confidence in the provision. However, admission requires an EHCP, and places are allocated by the local authority, so families should engage early with the assessment and consultation process and should visit the school to assess suitability for their child's specific needs.
The appointment of Raymond Lawrence as Executive Principal in October 2024 brings new leadership to the school, and parents will wish to observe how this transition shapes future direction. The school's sustained Good performance and specialist accreditations suggest a stable foundation, but as with any special school, fit between the child's needs and the school's provision is paramount. Families are encouraged to seek detailed discussions with the SEN team, to review the school's curriculum pathways, and to understand how their child's individual goals will be supported within this setting.
Yes, The Garden School is a Good school according to its most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2024, with Good ratings across quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, early years provision, and sixth form provision. The school holds National Autistic Society accreditation, Arts Mark status, and RIBA recognition for its facilities. It serves pupils aged 4 to 19 with autism, offering a highly specialised curriculum and integrated therapeutic support. The school has a capacity of 200 and is near full occupancy, reflecting strong demand and parental confidence. It is well regarded for its person-centred approach, structured environment, and long-term continuity of provision.
Admission to The Garden School is restricted to pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that identifies autism as the primary need. The school does not operate standard primary or secondary admissions; places are allocated by the local authority's SEN team. Parents must first ensure their child has an EHCP. If not, request a statutory assessment from your local authority (Hackney Council for Hackney residents). During the EHCP process or annual review, you can request The Garden School as a placement option. The local authority consults with the school and makes the final decision based on the child's needs, the school's suitability, and availability of places. Parents are encouraged to visit the school by appointment and to work closely with their SEN caseworker. There is no fixed application deadline; placements are needs-led and can occur at any point in the year.
The Garden School serves pupils aged 4 to 19, covering early years, primary, secondary, and post-16 provision. The school offers continuity of specialist autism education across all key stages through to age 19, with pathways tailored to individual development and post-school transition planning.
The Garden School is a specialist provision exclusively for pupils with autism spectrum condition (ASD). All pupils have an EHCP with autism as the primary need. The school supports a range of associated needs, including communication difficulties (non-verbal, minimally verbal, speech and language delay), sensory processing differences, emotional regulation challenges, repetitive behaviours, and moderate to severe learning difficulties. The school provides integrated speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and positive behaviour support as core elements of its provision.
Yes, The Garden School has a sixth form and provides post-16 education through to age 19. The sixth form focuses on preparation for adulthood, offering pathways tailored to each student's post-school goals. The curriculum emphasises life skills, independence, communication, and accredited qualifications at Entry Level and Level 1, supporting transitions to further education, supported employment, or day services.
The Garden School's most recent Ofsted inspection took place on 3 December 2024. The school was rated Good in all six inspection categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, early years provision, and sixth form provision. The school previously received an Outstanding rating in a 2014 full inspection. Ofsted discontinued overall effectiveness grades from September 2024, so the December 2024 inspection does not include a single overall rating.
The Garden School operates from two sites in Hackney, London. The main site is located at Wordsworth Road, Stoke Newington, London, N16 8BZ. The second site, The Pavilion, is at 28 Ickburgh Road, London, E5 8AD. Both sites are purpose-designed to meet the sensory and spatial needs of pupils with autism.
Raymond Lawrence is the Executive Principal of The Garden School, having been appointed in October 2024. He leads the school's specialist provision for pupils aged 4 to 19 with autism across its two Hackney sites.
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