At Woodend Farm Secondary School, we are committed to delivering a quality-first education that is emotionally intelligent, flexible, and responsive to the unique profiles of our learners—including those with Persistent drive for Autonomy (PDA). We believe that education should be a low-demand, high-trust journey where pupils feel safe, respected, and in control of their learning experience.
Our mission is to create a nurturing environment where disguised learning, negotiated tasks, and autonomy-supportive strategies empower every young person to engage on their own terms. Through strong, attuned relationships and a deep understanding of individual needs, we unlock potential, nurture aspirations, and support pupils to become confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals—ready to shape their own futures with agency and pride
Our vision is to guide pupils from adolescence into adulthood through a curriculum that is sensory-aware, emotionally safe, and rooted in the principles of co-regulation, flexibility, and trust. We aim to widen each pupil’s window of tolerance by reducing perceived demands and embedding learning in meaningful, interest-led contexts.
We believe that learning should not feel like pressure. Through disguised learning, project-based exploration, and low-arousal environments, we create opportunities for pupils to build skills, knowledge, and confidence without triggering anxiety or avoidance. Our vision is for every pupil to feel empowered to have a voice, make choices, and take ownership of their journey.
We want our pupils to leave us not just as learners, but as self-aware, emotionally literate individuals who are proud of who they are. From survivors to strivers to thrivers, our pupils will transition into adulthood as engaged, informed, and valued members of their communities—ready to live life on their own terms.