Hawthorn, Chartham
Hawthorn is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Chartham. It was rated Requires improvement at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in February 2025. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in May 2026 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement (2025)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Hawthorn in detail
Hawthorn in its own words
In its own words: "We have a very small cohort, offering one-to-one, two-to-one and small group learning. Places are limited, our maxium student intake is currently eight. We are able to support neurodiverse pupils with an EHCP who have social, emotional, mental ill health needs."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Hawthorn are The Orchard School (1.1 miles, Good); St Nicholas' School (1.1 miles, Good); Newingate School (1.5 miles, Good); and Haven Nook (1.5 miles, Good).
The Orchard SchoolSt Nicholas' SchoolNewingate SchoolHaven Nook
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Hawthorn has an education, health and care plan (7 of 7 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Canterbury East Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 33 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 5 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Hawthorn provides specialist support for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school works closely with parents, professionals and local authorities to develop individualised risk assessments and therapeutic approaches that help pupils prepare for education, training and employment. Leaders demonstrate strong commitment to pupil wellbeing and have established robust systems to keep all young people safe.
Key Strengths
- Strong leadership commitment to supporting pupils' wellbeing and transition to adulthood - Leaders demonstrate dedicated commitment to meeting pupils' needs as they move into adulthood
- Effective safeguarding practices and oversight - Safeguarding policies are detailed, regularly reviewed, and applied consistently well
- Comprehensive individual risk assessments - All pupils have regularly reviewed risk assessments developed in partnership with parents and professionals to identify vulnerabilities and reduce potential harm
- Well-established systems and processes - Leaders use rigorous oversight and well-developed systems for risk assessment and safeguarding to ensure continued compliance
- Appropriate staff training - Staff receive ongoing training covering safeguarding, vulnerable adults, and mental health and therapeutic needs
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective, with detailed policies, regular staff training, strong oversight by leaders, and clear procedures for responding to concerns and engaging with adult social care.
Hawthorn is an independent special school for pupils aged 11-18 with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is likely to meet independent school standards if its proposed material change to extend the age range to 19 years is approved.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Hawthorn
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
88%
Available places
7 pupils
8 places
1 spare place
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Chartham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Chartham
Across Kent council
Places available
19,539
Applications
18,644
Got 1st preference
78.9%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All secondary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
Independent school standard inspection - first
Met all the independent school standards.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Hawthorn is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
7
Total Pupils
3
Boys
4
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Hawthorn
What is Hawthorn's Ofsted rating?
Hawthorn's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in February 2025, it was rated Requires Improvement.
Does Hawthorn meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in February 2025, Hawthorn met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Hawthorn?
Hawthorn has around 7 pupils on roll.
Does Hawthorn have specialist SEN provision?
Hawthorn is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Hawthorn?
Hawthorn is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Hawthorn?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Hawthorn?
Hawthorn is at Chalkhill Farm, New House Lane, Chartham, Kent, CT4 7BF.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)