Welcome from the CEO and Headteacher

Welcome to Pond Meadow Academy Trust, an outstanding special school where we are proud to teach children and young people in the way they learn best.

At Pond Meadow, we have high expectations and ambition for every pupil. From the moment a child joins us, our focus is on equipping them not only for success in school, but for life beyond it. Everything we do is centred around our vision of “Equipping Learners for Life” and our core values of Learning, Respect, Equality and Independence.

Situated in Bellfields, Guildford, we provide education for children and young people aged 3–19 with Autism, Communication and Interaction Needs and/or Severe Learning Disabilities. We recognise that every pupil is unique, and we are committed to ensuring their individual strengths, needs and aspirations are understood and nurtured.

Our curriculum is progressive, responsive and carefully designed around how our pupils learn. We use a range of evidence-informed specialist approaches including TEACCH, Attention Autism, PECS, Intensive Interaction and Bricks for Autism. Our environments, routines and relationships are intentionally structured to support communication, emotional regulation, independence and wellbeing.

Working Beyond Pond Meadow

A key part of our work is supporting inclusion beyond our own school community. We work closely with mainstream schools to share specialist expertise and help ensure more pupils across Surrey are taught in the way they learn best.

Through outreach, partnership working, staff development and collaborative projects, we support schools to develop inclusive practice, structured learning environments and greater understanding of neurodiversity and complex learning needs. We believe this work is of huge mutual benefit — not only strengthening outcomes for pupils across the wider system, but also allowing us to continually reflect, learn and develop our own practice alongside others.

We are passionate about building capacity, confidence and consistency so that more children and young people can thrive within their educational communities.

Why Choose Pond Meadow for Your Child?

At Pond Meadow, we believe children thrive when they feel understood, safe and prepared. We teach the way your child learns best and create environments where pupils can develop confidence, communication, independence and a sense of belonging.

Our staff know pupils exceptionally well and work closely with families to ensure learning is personalised and meaningful. We understand that preparation is key for our learners, and we carefully structure each day to reduce anxiety, build independence and support successful transitions throughout school and beyond.

We are deeply committed to preparing pupils for adulthood from the moment they walk through our doors. Whether this is developing communication, emotional regulation, life skills, friendships or future aspirations, our aim is always the same — to help every learner achieve the very best possible outcomes for their future.

As a parent or carer, you are an essential part of your child’s journey. We value strong partnerships with families and offer support, guidance, training and practical help along the way.

Why Work With Us?

Our staff are our greatest investment and have the biggest impact on the lives of our pupils.

At Pond Meadow, we are passionate about developing people and creating opportunities for growth. We are incredibly proud that many members of staff have progressed from Teaching Assistants into teaching roles and even into senior leadership positions within our school. We believe in recognising potential, nurturing talent and investing in long-term professional development.

We provide high-quality training, coaching and specialist development opportunities to ensure staff feel confident, valued and supported in their roles. Our culture is one of teamwork, reflection and continuous improvement, with a shared commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people.

Working at Pond Meadow means becoming part of a welcoming, caring and inspiring community where every role makes a difference.

“This is such a happy school where staff are focused on ‘Equipping Learners for Life’. They care deeply about their pupils, all of whom have complex needs and barriers to learning. Staff understand pupils’ individual needs, strengths, talents and interests. They know what pupils need and when. As a result, pupils make exceptional progress in all areas of their education. Ultimately, they are prepared well for what the future holds.”
— Ofsted, June 2023

You are very welcome to arrange a visit to see learning in action. The atmosphere at our school is truly unique, a community that is welcoming, caring and inspiring.

Emily Hayward-Stubbs
CEO and Headteacher

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