Jack Tizard School stands as a beacon of inclusive, specialist education in White City, serving pupils aged 2 to 19 with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Named after the pioneering New Zealand psychologist whose 1950s and 1960s research transformed community care for people with learning disabilities, the school embodies his vision of person-centred support and meaningful integration. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in its November 2023 inspection, this 70-place community special school has maintained an exceptional reputation for over two decades under the leadership of headteacher Francesca Smith. With a remarkable 4:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio, specialist facilities including a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, and a highly personalised curriculum delivered through multi-disciplinary collaboration, Jack Tizard creates an environment where every child's unique potential is recognised and nurtured.
Jack Tizard School takes its name from Professor Jack Tizard CBE (1919–1979), a research psychologist whose work at the Maudsley Hospital's Social Psychiatry Unit fundamentally shaped modern approaches to learning disability education. Tizard's groundbreaking research demonstrated that people with learning disabilities could learn and thrive outside institutional settings, underpinning the development of 'ordinary life' models and community care services. His 1963 book, Community Services for the Mentally Handicapped, outlined comprehensive support frameworks that influenced the 1970 Education Act, which established that all children are educable. The Tizard Centre at the University of Kent and this school stand as lasting tributes to his legacy.
The school's mission reflects Tizard's philosophy: an ethos of respect for all regardless of gender, race, sexuality, social background, ability, nationality or religion. Every pupil is treated as a unique individual, with learning opportunities designed around their specific needs, strengths and aspirations. The atmosphere is described as happy and friendly, with staff creating a caring, supportive environment that values communication, independence and community integration. Collaboration lies at the heart of the school's approach, with teachers, therapists, support staff and families working together to co-produce targets and celebrate progress from each child's unique starting point.
Jack Tizard has earned recognition through multiple accreditations, including Artsmark, Healthy Schools Programme Silver, and Gold awards. External professionals, including educational psychologists and organisations such as Blink Dance Theatre, have praised the school's "sector-leading creative approaches to inclusive education." In 2025, headteacher Francesca Smith—who has led the school for over 20 years—received a royal invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by the King and Queen, honouring the school's exceptional work. Jack Tizard was the only Hammersmith & Fulham school to receive this recognition.
Jack Tizard delivers a highly personalised National Curriculum adapted to the specific learning needs of its pupils. The curriculum is delivered through a multi-disciplinary approach, with teachers working closely with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and specialist support staff to ensure each child receives targeted interventions. A total communication approach is embedded throughout the school, including Makaton, talking mats, touch cues and symbols, supporting pupils' communication and independence.
Physical development is integral to daily life at Jack Tizard. All pupils have personalised targets linked to developing physical skills, which may include PE, sport activities, physiotherapy sessions or sensory circuits. The school's hydrotherapy pool plays a central role in this provision, offering therapeutic and educational benefits in a controlled, sensory-rich environment. Staff use elements from the Halliwick concept and AquaEpps training to support students safely and effectively in the water.
Detailed baseline assessments and regular pupil progress meetings enable staff to identify the most impactful resources and interventions for each child. The Ofsted inspection noted that pupils make strong progress from their unique starting points due to this rigorous monitoring and tailored support. The school has also reported a significant reduction in inappropriate behaviour, with staff trained in positive behaviour support strategies and only one use of physical intervention recorded during the inspection period.
Teachers deliver an exciting, engaging curriculum with enthusiasm, fostering strong pupil achievement. Staff receive high-quality, specialist training and work closely with external agencies to stay current with best practices in special education. Staff surveys reveal high levels of satisfaction, with educators feeling well-supported by school leaders.
Jack Tizard occupies a purpose-built site on South Africa Road in White City, completed in 2004 with the hydrotherapy pool added in 2010. The hydrotherapy pool, measuring approximately 10 metres by 7 metres with a consistent depth of 1.2 metres, is accessible to people of all abilities. It features a ramp for walking or using a shower chair, as well as a ceiling hoist running directly from the changing area to the pool. The water is maintained at around 33 degrees Celsius, with air temperature at 34 degrees Celsius, creating a comfortable environment for pupils with complex physical needs.
The pool's sophisticated lighting system allows staff to adapt the environment to suit different lessons and topics. Sensory lights on waterproof buttons enable swimmers to control aspects of the environment independently, fostering autonomy and engagement. The hydrotherapy pool offers numerous benefits to sensory awareness, including visual stimulation through lights under, above and through the water, brightly coloured toys for play and games, and auditory stimulation through voice, water sounds and music. Staff are sensitive to the potential for sensory overload and proactively adapt the environment to meet individual needs.
The school's sensory provision has gained wider recognition. In 2025, Westfield London shopping centre, which has maintained an official relationship with Jack Tizard since 2020, opened a new sensory room inspired by the school's own facilities. The partnership offers pupils long-term work experience placements, providing valuable opportunities for older students to develop vocational skills and build confidence in real-world settings.
Beyond the hydrotherapy pool and sensory spaces, the school's compact campus supports a range of specialist learning environments tailored to the diverse needs of its pupils. The school places itself at the heart of a caring community, involving parents in various activities and fostering strong partnerships with families.
Jack Tizard School is a specialist provision exclusively for pupils with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. The school serves children and young people aged 2 to 19 with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Many pupils also have additional physical, sensory, behavioural and complex medical needs.
The school's approach to SEN support is holistic and multi-disciplinary. Staff collaborate closely with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists to ensure each pupil receives comprehensive, coordinated care. The total communication approach, including Makaton signing, talking mats, touch cues and symbol-based systems, is embedded throughout the school to support expressive and receptive communication.
The school's expertise in working with pupils with PMLD is particularly notable, with staff trained in specialist techniques for supporting children with the most complex needs. The hydrotherapy pool, sensory spaces and personalised curriculum ensure that pupils with profound disabilities can access meaningful learning experiences tailored to their abilities and interests.
Jack Tizard School is a Hammersmith & Fulham community special school that accepts pupils from the local authority and surrounding London boroughs. Admission is restricted to pupils aged 2 to 19 who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan specifying severe learning difficulties (SLD) or profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). The school operates at or slightly above capacity, with 73 pupils currently enrolled against a capacity of 70.
The admissions process follows a six-step pathway. Parents or carers are encouraged to contact the school's Senior Admin Officer at 020 8735 3590 or email jt@jacktizard.lbhf.sch.uk to discuss their child's needs and arrange a visit. During the visit, a member of the Senior Leadership Team provides a tour, explains the school's provision, and answers questions.
Once families have expressed interest, they must inform their Local Authority key worker of their preference for Jack Tizard. The Local Authority submits official paperwork, and the school confirms whether it can meet the child's needs. If a place is offered, families should request home-to-school travel assistance through their Local Authority, which provides application forms.
Transition support is robust. Staff may conduct home visits, visit the child's current setting, and arrange taster sessions in relevant classes. A multi-disciplinary admissions meeting takes place before enrolment to discuss learning, health and care needs in detail. A follow-up meeting occurs six weeks after the child starts, providing an opportunity to share progress and address any questions or concerns.
Parents considering Jack Tizard should engage early with their Local Authority's Education, Health and Care Planning Service, particularly as places are limited and demand for high-quality specialist provision in London is strong. The school's Outstanding rating, specialist facilities and experienced leadership make it a sought-after choice for families seeking personalised, therapeutic education for children with SLD and PMLD.
Jack Tizard School exemplifies outstanding specialist education, combining rigorous academic and therapeutic support with a deeply compassionate ethos. The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating, maintained over multiple inspections, reflects consistent excellence in teaching, leadership and pupil outcomes. With a 4:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio, world-class facilities including a therapeutic hydrotherapy pool, and a multi-disciplinary team of educators and therapists, Jack Tizard provides an environment where pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties can thrive.
The school's commitment to personalised learning ensures that every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their unique potential. The significant reduction in challenging behaviour, strong pupil progress from diverse starting points, and high staff morale all point to a setting where inclusive values are lived out in practice. External recognition, including the 2025 royal invitation for the headteacher and partnerships with organisations such as Westfield London, underscores the school's influence beyond its walls.
For families seeking a special school that combines therapeutic expertise, creative pedagogy and genuine respect for every child, Jack Tizard stands as one of London's finest specialist provisions. The school's legacy, rooted in the pioneering work of Professor Jack Tizard, continues to shape best practice in inclusive education for pupils with complex needs.
Yes. Jack Tizard School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and has maintained exceptional standards over multiple inspections. The school serves pupils aged 2 to 19 with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), offering a highly personalised curriculum, specialist facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, and a 4:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio. Pupils make strong progress from their unique starting points, and staff receive high-quality training to support complex needs effectively.
Admission to Jack Tizard requires an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan specifying severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Parents should contact the school directly at 020 8735 3590 or jt@jacktizard.lbhf.sch.uk to arrange a visit. After the visit, inform your Local Authority key worker of your preference, and they will submit official paperwork. The school will confirm whether it can meet your child's needs. Transition support, including home visits and taster sessions, is provided to help children settle.
Jack Tizard School serves pupils aged 2 to 19 years. The school is an all-through special school with nursery provision for children as young as two and post-16 provision for young people up to age 19, offering continuity of support throughout a child's educational journey.
The pupil-to-teacher ratio is 4:1, ensuring highly individualised attention and support. With 73 pupils currently enrolled, the school maintains a staffing structure that allows for personalised learning, close monitoring of progress, and responsive intervention to meet complex needs.
Yes. Jack Tizard School features a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool measuring 10 metres by 7 metres, with accessible entry via ramp and ceiling hoist. The pool includes sensory lighting on waterproof controls, allowing pupils to interact with the environment independently. The school also has sensory rooms and specialist equipment to support pupils with physical, sensory and communication needs.
Jack Tizard School specialises in educating pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). The school also supports pupils with additional physical disabilities, sensory impairments (visual and hearing), autism spectrum conditions, complex medical needs and behavioural needs. All pupils must have an Education, Health and Care plan to attend.
Ms Francesca Smith is the headteacher. She has led the school for over 20 years and was invited to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2025 to recognise the school's exceptional work. Under her leadership, Jack Tizard has maintained its Outstanding Ofsted rating and built strong partnerships with local organisations.
The school is named after Professor Jack Tizard CBE (1919–1979), a pioneering psychologist whose research in the 1950s and 1960s transformed approaches to learning disability education. Tizard's work demonstrated that people with learning disabilities could thrive in community settings rather than institutions, underpinning modern inclusive education models. His legacy is honoured through this school, the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent, and an annual memorial lecture series.
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