SEND school

Acorns School - Ashley, Altrincham

Back Ln, Ashley, Altrincham WA15 0QH, UK

Acorn’s school is a specialist therapeutic school supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs and learning difficulties across Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas. The school comprises two sites: the original school site in Marple, Stockport, and a second site, established in 2024, in Ashley, Altrincham.

Across both its sites, the school offers a nurturing, safe environment and a personalised approach that helps pupils who have faced challenging times re-engage with education. As an independent special school in England, Ofsted regulates it.

About

About Acorns School - Ashley, Altrincham

Acorns School is a specialist therapeutic school in Ashley, Altrincham, supporting children aged 11 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and learning difficulties — including those who have found it difficult to sustain mainstream education. We provide a nurturing, safe environment where every pupil is supported as an individual, helping children re-engage with learning at their own pace and build confidence alongside their academic progress.

  • Headteacher: Paula Tankard

  • Chair of Governors: James Madine

  • Proprietor: Keys Stepping Stones Limited

  • Ofsted: View report

  • Address: Back Ln, Ashley, Altrincham WA15 0QH, UK

  • Phone number: 0161 552 5130

  • Supported needs

    • SEMH
    • Learning Disabilities

Resources

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Useful information

Common questions

Who is Acorns School for?

Acorns School is for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and learning difficulties, including those who have found mainstream school difficult to sustain.

Where is Acorns School?

Acorns School is in Marple, Stockport. Referrals and enquiries are handled by the Keys education referrals team.

What type of education do you provide?

We offer:

  • A broad, balanced curriculum aligned with national expectations

  • Personalised learning plans tailored to each student

  • Opportunities to gain qualifications (e.g. GCSEs, functional skills)

  • Life skills and independence development

What makes Acorns School different?

Our approach focuses on:

  • Small class sizes and high staff-to-student ratios

  • Trauma-informed and therapeutic support

  • Strong emphasis on relationships and emotional wellbeing

  • Flexible, personalised pathways to success

How can a child be referred to an Acorns School?

Referrals are usually made through:

  • Local Authorities

  • SEN teams or EHCP processes

  • Social care or commissioning teams

You can also contact us directly, and we’ll guide you through the process.

Do students need an EHCP?

Most students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), but we can discuss individual circumstances if this is still in progress.

What kind of support is available for students?

We provide a range of support, including:

  • Emotional and behavioural support

  • Therapeutic input (where required)

  • Pastoral care and mentoring

  • Structured routines and positive behaviour strategies

Who do I contact for more information?

You can contact our Business Development team or referrals team, who will:

  • Answer your questions

  • Guide you through the process

  • Help identify suitable placements

Make a referral

Tell us about the person and what they need, and our team will talk through availability and the next steps.


Connected Support

Support centred around each individual.

We call it Connected Support.

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