Elms is a special school for pupils with social, emotional, mental health and learning needs.

Elms School offers staff the following support:

Access to an on-site HR Advisor, who is also a Mental Health First Aider; Fortnightly Supervision for Teachers; Membership of Benenden Health Care; Access to Support Line Counselling; Menopause Support; SLT open door approach; Team Teach Training; Full Time DSL.

Elms School is a nurturing place of learning that has high expectations for all. Our therapeutic approaches nurture students so they form relationships and to learn to; self-regulate; demonstrate respect; take responsibility; understand their and others’ emotions. Our curriculum enriches the experiences of our students, develops independence and promotes collaboration. Our broad and balanced curriculum is relevant, engaging and provides opportunities to achieve academic success as well as equipping them with skills for life.

Our highly-trained staff provide bespoke therapeutic interventions, such as Thrive or Trauma Informed Practice, to address social emotional development and enable pupils to manage their behaviour and regulate their emotions so that they can form meaningful relationships throughout their lives. We teach our students how to regulate using the Zones of Regulation. We use Restorative Approaches to build and maintain a sense of community and to provide our pupils with the ability and attitude to respect the viewpoints of others and, when necessary, take responsibility for resolving conflict and putting things right.

In our Ofsted inspection in March 2023, Elms School continues to be a Good school.