Location
Cranborne, Dorset
Gender
Mixed
Placements
38 week day
Age Range
11 - 16
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Term Dates
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Prospectus
Aurora Beeches School
Welcome to our Special Needs Secondary School in Cranborne, Dorset
The Beeches School; where pupils are helped to make progress to realise their potential and ambitions. Taking STEPS, in the right direction towards making healthy choices and independence.
At Aurora Beeches, we believe in giving young people the tools and opportunities to create the lives they want for themselves. With high-quality teaching, an excellent level of individual support and a range of expert-led, integrated therapy, we support students with a range of additional learning needs to create and meet their own goals.
All our students are fully involved in choices around their own programmes, so that whatever their plans are – whether they want to pursue further education, training or employment – they are empowered and supported to create their own futures. Pupils are helped to make progress to realise their potential and ambitions.
We look forward to welcoming you to Aurora Beeches.
Adele Henson, Headteacher, Aurora Beeches
A Day in the Life at
Aurora Beeches School
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Welcome
At The Beeches School, we support you to make progress, grow in confidence, and work towards your goals. Our focus is on helping young people take positive STEPS toward independence and healthy choices. STEPS is our school-wide reward system. It stands for:
Supporting others
Tolerating different views
Effort in lessons
Punctuality
Safety for yourself and others
Everyone can earn a stamp each time they show these values in a lesson. Once your card is full, you receive a £5 voucher—a small reward for taking big steps! -
Morning
Our day begins with Base Time - a relaxed session with tutors where you can settle in, chat about the day ahead, and take part in fun house challenges. It’s a chance to feel calm, supported, and ready to learn.
Every person is different, so we help you find what “learning ready” means for you—whether that’s breakfast, quiet reading, or a game with friends. Tutors also go over the day’s timetable and check in on how everyone’s feeling.
On certain days, we introduce Words of the Week—a fun way to build literacy skills. Everyone is encouraged to use these words in lessons, and there are small rewards for those who do! -
Lunch
Lunchtime is in the Main House or The Beeches, with staff support and the option to bring a packed lunch.
After eating, you can join in fun clubs like Lego, reading, mindful colouring, or Train Club. Got a hobby? We’ll try to create a club around it! -
Our Timetable
Our school day includes five lessons, tailored to each of your needs and interests. These range from short courses like Animal Care to full GCSEs in Art, History, or Geography for Year 10 and 11.
The final lesson of the day is Enrichment—a chance to explore new skills, hobbies, and experiences in a fun, supportive environment. -
Downtime Breaks
Our day is structured with regular breaks to help you stay focused and feel your best. We have a 15-minute break in the morning, 45 minutes for lunch, and another 15-minute break in the afternoon.
If you need a short break during a lesson, that’s okay too—it’s better to take five minutes and return ready to learn. Staff are always nearby to support and guide.
We’re lucky to have beautiful outdoor spaces and friendly animals on site. There’s a dog in school each day, and our two rabbits love joining lessons or sitting quietly with you while you learn.
Latest News
Thank you so much for the journey you are taking us on, the difference it is making to our child’s life takes my breath away.
