Kedleston Group’s Hawley Woods School in Camberley welcomed VIP guests, including England’s Jess Clarke, for a very special day of celebrations and ribbon cutting ceremony to mark its official opening.
The specialist school opened its doors in late 2024. It offers places for children and young people who are autistic or have social, interaction and communication needs and for whom, mainstream environments have not been able to meet their needs.
Special guest Jess, 35, was capped more than 50 times playing for England and scored 11 international goals. As well as undertaking ribbon-cutting duties to declare Kedleston’s Hawley Woods School officially open, the former England Lioness also led pupils and staff in a series of fun activities and fitness sessions throughout the day.
She also hosted a special assembly discussing the importance of exercise and healthy eating on our mental health and resilience as well as sharing a ‘goals reel’ highlighting some of the goals scored throughout her career. Her visit was arranged through ActivKids UK.
Jess said: “I have really enjoyed my visit to Hawley Woods School. The children have been so incredibly welcoming and enthusiastic and asked some brilliant questions! This is a great school with wonderful facilities. I know it’s a place where the pupils will really thrive.”
Hawley Woods School is part of Kedleston Group. The school can support up to 90 young people from across Hampshire and Surrey in small classes of no more than six pupils, in an environment specially designed to meet the learning needs of children.
The school offers places for children aged seven to 17 across Key Stages 2 and 3 currently then will open to Key Stage 4 pupils in 2027 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and for whom mainstream schools have not been able to meet their needs.
Head teacher Hannah Stroud said: “We would like to thank everyone who joined us for our official opening, it was wonderful to bring everyone together to celebrate all we have achieved at Hawley Woods School so far. The children were thrilled to spend time with Jess and our guests, sharing all that makes them so proud about Hawley Woods School.
“Since we opened, we have been thrilled to welcome pupils from across Hampshire and Surrey to our lovely school. It has been a pleasure to begin to support children who have been struggling in mainstream schools or out of education for a period of time, helping them to positively re-engage in education and fall in love with learning.
“Hawley Woods is truly a beautiful school with wonderful facilities and a nurturing approach and we look forward to welcoming more pupils in the coming weeks and months.”