Welcome

Welcome to Heathermount School, an outstanding independent special school where every pupil is supported to achieve their fullest potential. We are a day school for pupils aged 5 to 18 and are proud to be part of the Cavendish family of schools. Following our Ofsted inspection in October 2024, the school was judged Outstanding across all key areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

At Heathermount, we are unwavering in our commitment to providing a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environment where pupils with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and co-occurring needs can flourish. Our staff have a deep understanding of each child’s individual profile and provide highly personalised support that enables pupils to grow academically, socially and emotionally. Through a carefully sequenced and adapted curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for life beyond school, fostering increasing independence and self-belief.

We are fortunate to be situated within a beautiful 14-acre site, offering extensive outdoor space that is integral to our provision. Access to safe, open environments is particularly important for many of our pupils. Our grounds provide opportunities for regulation, reflection and movement throughout the day, helping pupils to feel calm, secure and ready to learn. We firmly believe that when children feel safe and regulated, they are far better able to engage meaningfully in their learning and make sustained progress.

Our approach is holistic. Alongside strong academic development, pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities that build resilience, self-esteem and essential life skills. Emotional wellbeing and therapeutic support are integral to our provision, as is high-quality, bespoke careers education that prepares young people for meaningful next steps.

We are passionate advocates for specialist education. Schools like Heathermount play a vital role in ensuring that children with additional needs are not defined by their challenges but empowered by their strengths. When provision is carefully designed, appropriately resourced and rooted in understanding, young people with ASC can achieve exceptional outcomes. We are proud to be part of a sector that champions inclusion, expertise and ambition for every child.

Parents and carers often describe the school as transformative, with one parent sharing that “it has literally changed our child’s life and given us optimism about the future.” Such feedback reflects the dedication, professionalism and care of our staff team, who place children and their needs at the heart of every decision.

I invite you to explore our website, have a look at our Virtual Tour, and, where possible, attend one of our open evenings to experience first-hand the warm, purposeful and inspiring community that makes Heathermount such a special place to learn and grow.

Craig Drummond

Headteacher