Arnfield Independent School
Arnfield Independent School provides specialist education for young people with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs. Built on the belief that every young person, regardless of background or previous experience, deserves the opportunity to succeed, feel valued, and develop the confidence and skills needed for a positive future.
Ofsted rated Good
AHOEC accredited
Ages 11–17
High Peak, Derbyshire
Our philosophy
Our philosophy is centred around providing a student-focused, therapeutic and highly individualised education within a safe, structured and nurturing environment. We recognise that many of the young people who access our provision have experienced significant challenges, disrupted education and barriers to learning.
Through strong relationships, consistency, compassion and high expectations, we aim to help every young person rediscover success, rebuild self-belief and develop the skills needed to thrive both in education and in life.
Anthony O’Rourke
Headteacher, Arnfield Independent School
Our curriculum
Our model is designed around the understanding that young people learn in different ways. Each strand plays a distinct role whilst working together to support the development of the whole child.
Two days per week
Core subjects including English, Maths, Science, Art, and PSHE alongside History, Geography and Languages where appropriate. Carefully differentiated to meet individual learning needs through small group and personalised approaches.
Two days per week
Practical, creative and experiential learning beyond the traditional classroom. Project-based activities developing independence, confidence, employability and transferable life skills through nationally recognised accreditation.
One day per week + residentials
An integral part of the Arnfield curriculum. Carefully planned outdoor and adventurous activities that develop resilience, teamwork, leadership, and self-belief within real-world contexts. ASDAN, AQA, and NGB awards available.
Qualifications and outcomes
Success is not measured solely through qualifications, but also through improved confidence, emotional development, engagement, attendance, relationships and readiness for adult life.
Pupils progress into further education, apprenticeships, employment or training. Our aim is to ensure every young person leaves with the confidence, resilience and skills to move forward positively — and a belief that they have value and purpose.
GCSEs
English, Maths and other subjects where appropriate to individual pathways
ASDAN
Short Course, Community Volunteering, Personal Development programmes
AQA Unit Awards
Flexible accreditation recognising achievement across a wide range of activities
NGB Awards
National Governing Body and Open Awards Wales (Agored Cymru) qualifications via outdoor education
CLASSROOM LEARNING
Classroom learning at Arnfield Independent School is delivered two days per week. Core subjects include English, Maths, Science, Art, and PSHE alongside History, Geography and Languages where appropriate. All teaching is carefully differentiated to meet individual learning needs through small group and personalised approaches.
Many of the young people in our school have experienced disrupted or negative experiences of education. Our classrooms are safe, calm, and purposefully structured to help young people re-engage with learning at their own pace. Class sizes are small and staff ratios are high — ensuring every young person receives the individual support they need to make progress.
We celebrate every achievement, however small. For young people who have previously disengaged from education, simply being present, being ready to try, and experiencing success in a subject — however modest — is a significant milestone that we recognise and build upon.
Outdoor education
Arnfield Care holds one of the broadest Adventure Activities licences in the UK, allowing pupils to access a diverse range of outdoor and adventurous activities delivered safely by highly qualified and experienced instructors.
Residential expeditions and extended outdoor programmes — including multi-day mountain challenges — encourage reflection, problem-solving, responsibility and self-belief. Young people take active roles in planning and preparation, developing practical life skills alongside greater confidence and independence.
CASE STUDY
From the classroom to the Glyders — a story of confidence, challenge and achievement
CASE STUDY
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
ACCREDITATIONS
AHOEC accredited
Outdoor education provision aligned with AHOEC standards. Arnfield holds one of the broadest Adventure Activities licences in the UK.
AHOEC accredited
Outdoor education provision aligned with AHOEC standards. Arnfield holds one of the broadest Adventure Activities licences in the UK.
AHOEC accredited
Outdoor education provision aligned with AHOEC standards. Arnfield holds one of the broadest Adventure Activities licences in the UK.
ASDAN
ASDAN at Arnfield Independent School is delivered two days per week. It provides project-based activities that develop independence, confidence, employability, and transferable life skills through nationally recognised accreditation.
ASDAN is particularly valuable for young people who struggle to engage with traditional academic learning. It provides a structured but flexible framework for achievement — allowing young people to gain qualifications through a wide range of real-world activities, practical tasks, and personal development projects.
Activities include cooking, budgeting, first aid, community volunteering, gardening, art and craft, and media production. Every project contributes toward a nationally recognised ASDAN qualification — from Short Course Award through to the ASDAN Personal Development Programme.
For many young people at Arnfield, ASDAN is where they first experience genuine academic success. Gaining a qualification — however the journey started — is a powerful moment of recognition that builds confidence and motivates further achievement.
For local authorities & social workers
Our school is part of every placement at Arnfield Care. If you’d like to discuss whether our educational provision is right for a young person, our team is always happy to talk informally before any formal referral process begins.