A safe place to
start again.
Maypole Farm offers something different - a nurturing outdoor environment that provides an opportunity for all young people to flourish, build confidence and make progress with education and wellbeing pathways.
Safeguarding first
Safety is central to everything we do.
Professional team
Qualified, warm and vetted staff with relevant SEND experience.
Child-centred
Individual learning and wellbeing plans, not labels or categories.
Working partnerships
Parents/carers, educational stakeholders and local authorities involved throughout.
Thrive Approach
Therapeutic and trauma informed practice.
Our purpose
Some children just need something different.
Many children and young people have needs or ways of being in the world that simply don't fit the standard education model. Busy classrooms, strict timetables, large groups, and frequent assessment; these things are genuinely overwhelming for some young people.
At Maypole Farm, we start with the child in front of us: their strengths; their history; their needs. We build solutions from there. Solutions that fit.
We see the individual behind the presentation.
How it works
Individually designed pathways for every child
There is no single route through Maypole Farm. We take time to understand each young person before we plan anything, then we build a solution that actually works for them. Our pathways centre on academic and vocational progress alongside wellbeing and therapeutic interventions.
Meet the child
We start by getting to know your child, not just their paperwork. A relaxed visit to the farm, time to explore and meet the team with no pressure.
Build trust
For many children who come to us, trust has been damaged. We move at their pace and show, through our actions, that Maypole Farm is a safe place.
Understand their needs
We take time to understand what is really going on for each young person; we look beyond labels, behind the behaviour, beneath the surface. We work with families and professionals to build a clear picture.
Create an individual pathway
Together, we build a learning pathway drawing on strengths, needs and goals. Not a one-size template. Not a tick-box. A personalised plan that we regularly review together.
Support progress and outcomes
Progress looks different for every child. Sometimes success is arriving, smiling, engaging or gaining a qualification. We celebrate it all.
"We meet children where they are — not where we think they should be."
Maypole Farm team
Who we work with
Different needs. One consistent approach.
We do not limit our support to a single type of need. We celebrate the unique differences of all our young people. Our approach is truly inclusive and child-centred. We see possibilities, not problems.
The farm environment
Why Maypole Farm makes a difference
There is something about being outdoors, working with animals, and having space to breathe that changes things for many young people. The farm is not just a backdrop, it is part of the provision.
Outdoor space
Room to breathe, move, and regulate. The natural environment reduces anxiety and creates a calmer start to each day.
Animals
Caring for animals builds empathy, routine and responsibility, often breaking through where words have not.
Practical activity
Hands-on opportunities give young people a sense of purpose and achievement that improves self-esteem and reignites motivation.
Smaller groups
Quieter and less overwhelming sessions. Children are known individually, no crowds, no noise overload, no getting lost.
Relational environment
Consistent, warm adults who are genuinely interested in each child. This is where trust begins to form.
You do not need to have everything figured out before you get in touch. Just pick up the phone or drop us a message. We can have a conversation to help you understand what might be possible.
Whether you are a parent/carer, a referring professional, or a school looking for alternative provision support, we are here to have a real conversation and help you find a solution.