Tone School sigil

Tone School

An independent specialist school for ages 11 to 17

Academic · Therapeutic · Tone

Vision
The vision for Tone School
The specialist learning environments
Rooms

Specialist learning environments

  • Knowledge Chamber
  • Creative Expression Studio
  • Life Sciences Laboratory
  • Dialogue and Philosophy Library
  • Regulation and Movement Chamber
  • Sound and Resonance Studio
  • Systems and Technology Laboratory
Uniform
The Tone School uniform
Framework

Quality and Development Framework

ACADEMIC THERAPEUTIC TONE

Academic

A curriculum designed to challenge and inspire high expectations for all.

Innovative pedagogy and teaching strategies enhancing students’ learning experiences.

Tone

Tone is the foundation the child stands on before they ever learn to speak, and the field they will hold when they do.

Therapeutic

A therapeutic curriculum promoting wellbeing, resilience and care.

Curriculum

Every subject, every year group

English curriculum map, year overview

Tap the map to open it full size.

Pathways

Curriculum pathways

2027-2028

Years 7 to 9 Years 10 to 11 KEY STAGE 3 KEY STAGE 4 ReachPathway RisePathway GCSEFS2 GCSEFS1 Root PathwayE3 | FS1

Pathways reviewed yearly based on holistic data

Spanish and Spain

Every pupil learns to speak Spanish

Spoken every lesson
Spain every year, Years 7 to 10
Every child goes
Reading

Reading Progress Pathway

Reading Progress Pathway

Tap the pathway to open it full size.

Tone curriculum

It moves in three stages

Stage 1
Recognition
→
Stage 2
Application
→
Stage 3
Participation
What it covers

A child moves on when they are ready, when they can show it and sustain it. Not because they have had a birthday.

Therapeutic

A therapeutic curriculum promoting wellbeing, resilience and care

Tier 1

All pupils

Universal therapeutic support available to all pupils.

Tier 2

Groups

Targeted group interventions for those needing additional support.

Tier 3

1:1

Intensive 1:1 therapy from HCPC-registered therapists for pupils requiring specialised support: Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy.

Universal Therapeutic Offer
First year

September 2027 to July 2028

  • 9:00am to 3:30pm
  • Drop-Down Fridays
School calendar 2027-28
The week

An example week

Tone School operates a two-week timetable, with each pathway timetabled individually. The example below shows Week A.

Week AMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
09:00 – 09:15RegulationRegulation
09:15 – 09:30Morning RegistrationMorning Registration
09:30 – 10:20Period 1EnglishMathsEnglishSciencePSHE
10:20 – 11:10Period 2MathsEnglishMathsComputingLibrary
11:10 – 11:25Morning BreakMorning Break
11:25 – 12:15Period 3ScienceScienceSpanishRESupplementary Therapy
12:15 – 13:05Period 4ToneSupplementary TherapyToneWellbeingFood Tech
13:05 – 13:45Lunch BreakLunch Break
13:45 – 14:35Period 5HistoryGeographyArtPEHorse Riding
14:35 – 15:15Period 6SpanishWellbeingEnrichmentPEHorse Riding
15:15 – 15:30Tutor TimeTutor Time
Staff

Three strands, each led by an Assistant Head

AcademicTherapeuticTone

Recruitment

Open to all, with neurodivergent candidates actively encouraged to apply. Questions are shared in advance, there is no performing, and candidates choose how they spend lunch.

The graduate route

Psychology students volunteer one day a week in Year 3 of their degree, then earn an 18-month contract and a reference for their doctorate.

A fraction of the price

What a place costs, per child, per year

Independent special school (average)£63,000
Tone School, with therapy built in£35,000
Mainstream with an EHCP, Essex, before therapies£18,600

Sources: DfE, February 2026; DfE schools block formula 2026-27; Essex Schools Forum, September 2025.

Plan

One school first, done properly

What I need from you

Two things

Contribution

It goes to the building, the set-up and the registration.

Contribute

People

People who share the vision: teachers, therapists, support staff and those with practical skills to offer.

Get in touch

Get in touch

Send a message

These children do not deserve second-thought things. They deserve this.

Contribute