The Levels School

The school is founded on a culture of inclusivity, trauma-informed practice, and the belief that students should learn through enquiry and discovery. Its mission is to provide a nurturing environment where students with specific learning difficulties can develop self-esteem, independence, and social skills. The core values guiding the school are courage, compassion, and creativity.

The school offers a differentiated curriculum across KS2, KS3, and KS4, tailored to individual ability and aspirations. Core subjects include English, maths, and science, while options include geography, art, craft and design, music, drama, food preparation and nutrition, history, textiles, sports science, film studies, and independent living skills. Non-assessed subjects such as PSHE, social skills, core PE, and fine motor skills are also integrated into the timetable.

The school provides specialist education for students with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia and speech, language, and communication needs, as well as those experiencing anxiety or fatigue. Support is delivered through an in-house therapy team that provides bespoke assessments, 1:1 therapy sessions, and in-class observations. The school employs a trauma-informed practice and offers a dedicated SENDCo to oversee provision.

The school manages admissions through a formal enquiry process, which includes the option to request a brochure or book a visit. A non-refundable deposit of £550 is required to secure a place once an offer has been made. Families may explore options for funding through their local authority.

The school operates on a three-term structure (Autumn, Spring, and Summer) with half-term breaks. The academic year typically runs from early September to early July, incorporating scheduled staff INSET days and standard holiday periods such as Christmas and Easter.

Located in the historic 1830s building 'Etonhurst' in Ashcott, the campus features diverse grounds with wells, a pond, and outdoor recreational spaces. Specialist facilities include a science lab, a library with reading nooks, an art studio, an occupational therapy suite, a speech and language therapy suite located in a historic turret, and an all-weather tennis court. The school also provides an outdoor classroom with cooking facilities and a large operational kitchen for food preparation.

The school maintains an enriching extracurricular programme designed to support student development. Activities include opportunities to meet the school's animals and various events and experiences, alongside a focus on student voice, which allows pupils to provide feedback on school operations.