Frequently Asked Questions

Maypole Farm is a specialist, nurturing alternative provision based in Kent. We support children and young people aged approximately 5–25 who are not currently thriving in mainstream education — whether due to SEND, SEMH needs, school avoidance, trauma, care experience, or other complex circumstances. We are part of the wider Maypole Foundation / Tuition Extra group.

We support children and young people with a wide range of needs, including SEND (including EHCP holders), SEMH difficulties, ASC, ADHD, SLCN, SpLD (such as dyslexia), anxiety-based school avoidance (EBSA), and those with care experience or complex home situations. We don't limit our support to specific diagnoses — we work with the whole child.

Maypole Farm is an alternative provision and specialist setting — not a mainstream school. We work alongside schools, local authorities, and families to provide tailored education and support for children who need a different environment. Some children attend Maypole Farm as their main provision; others as a supplement to other education.

The farm environment makes a real difference for many children. Being outdoors, caring for animals, and working with their hands can help regulate emotions, build confidence, and create a sense of calm that is simply harder to achieve in a classroom. The farm also gives children a sense of purpose and achievement — and often, a reason to keep coming back.

Referrals can come from local authorities, schools, SENCOs, social workers, and other professionals — as well as directly from parents and carers. The first step is to get in touch via our referral enquiry form or by contacting us directly. We will then discuss suitability, arrange a visit, and work through the admissions process together.

Yes — parents and carers can make initial contact directly. We will talk through your child's situation, explore whether Maypole Farm could be a good fit, and explain what the admissions process involves, including any funding requirements.

Most placements are funded through a local authority, either via an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or through alternative provision commissioning. Schools can also commission directly. In some cases, self-funded attendance is possible — please contact us to discuss. We work with families and professionals to help identify the right funding route.

We will be in touch within two working days to discuss the referral. If it seems like Maypole Farm could be a good fit, we will invite the child and family for an initial visit — a relaxed, informal opportunity to see the setting and meet the team, with no pressure. After that, we will work together on a suitability assessment and, if appropriate, an individual plan.

We take a relational, therapeutic-in-feel approach. That means getting to know each child as an individual — not just their diagnoses or history — and building trust before anything else. We use Thrive-informed practice and draw on our understanding of attachment, trauma, and SEMH to shape how we work. Learning happens in a context of safety, relationship, and genuine care.

Thrive is an evidence-based approach that supports children's social and emotional development. It draws on neuroscience and attachment theory to help adults understand children's behaviour and meet underlying emotional needs. We have Thrive practitioners on our team who inform how we work with children and young people.

This is something we understand deeply — many of the children we support have had really difficult experiences of education. We take this gently. We never force attendance. Instead, we work at the child's pace: starting with a visit, then perhaps just an hour, then building gradually. We also support families with the anxiety around the transition. Trust comes first.

We believe parents and carers are vital partners. We will keep you regularly updated — through regular conversations, progress updates, review meetings, and by being genuinely accessible to you. You will never feel like your child has disappeared behind a door. If something happens, you will hear from us promptly.

Safeguarding is our absolute first priority. All staff are DBS-checked and trained in child protection. We have a designated safeguarding lead, a comprehensive safeguarding policy, and clear procedures for any concerns. The farm environment is risk-assessed and carefully managed. You can view our policies in our policy library.

We support children and young people from approximately age 5 to age 25, depending on individual circumstances and need. Please get in touch if you are unsure whether someone falls within our remit.

We deliberately work with small groups to maintain the relational quality of our provision. Children and young people are not in large classes — they are known individually, and staff ratios are set with wellbeing and safety in mind.

We are based in Kent. Information about our specific location and transport arrangements is available on our contact page. Please get in touch to discuss transport options — we know this can be a key factor for families.

That depends entirely on what is right for each child. For some young people, the goal is reintegration into a mainstream setting when the time is right — and we actively support that transition. For others, the path is a positive alternative route through qualifications, skills, or progression to further education or employment. We never push children towards a goal that isn't right for them.