About Brook School

Our School

Brook School is an independent specialist secondary school located in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. We support learners aged 11–16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, autism spectrum conditions, moderate learning difficulties and other neurodiverse profiles.

Our school delivers a broad and balanced curriculum, including the core subjects of English, maths and science, alongside additional curriculum areas that promote creativity, independence and personal development. Our approach combines academic learning with therapeutic and pastoral support to ensure that each learner is able to progress both educationally and emotionally.

We provide a structured, nurturing environment centred on a meaningful and personalised curriculum. Our purpose is to make a lasting difference to the lives of our learners, equipping them with the knowledge, resilience and practical skills they need to move confidently into further education, employment and adulthood. We aim to help every young person become ‘life ready’.

At Brook School, positive and trusting relationships are at the heart of everything we do. By taking time to understand each learner’s strengths, needs and experiences, we are able to create tailored provision that supports their individual way of learning. Learners are supported by skilled and experienced teachers and support staff who work collaboratively to provide consistent, compassionate guidance.

We empower young people to make informed choices, helping them to understand both opportunities and consequences within a safe and supportive framework. Our approach is restorative, trauma-informed and therapeutic. We believe that behaviour is a form of communication, and that change happens through care, respect and understanding.

Brook School works with learners who are ready to engage in a supportive specialist environment. We promote positive attitudes towards learning so that young people feel safe, valued and confident in attending school, building strong foundations for lifelong learning.

We believe that every interaction is a learning opportunity. Our staff maintain a reflective, non-judgemental and curious approach, always seeking to understand, support and inspire.

Our Offer

We are proud of the extensive services we provide to our learners and families, which include the following.

Our school’s ethos and aims are to uphold our Purpose, Mission, Vision and Values which are:

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to empower learners with specific learning differences by providing a specialised, supportive, and innovative educational environment that addresses their unique learning needs, builds their confidence, and enables them to achieve their full potential.

Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver personalised education for learners with specific learning differences, fostering a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where every learner can thrive academically, develop essential life skills, and build resilience and self-esteem.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a leading SEN school where learners with specific learning differences are celebrated for their strengths, equipped with the tools and strategies they need to succeed, and prepared to make meaningful contributions to society as confident, capable individuals.

Our Values

Together, as a team, we embrace the values of integrity, empathy and challenge to create a dynamic, supportive, respectful and enriching educational experience for all.

Louisa Skinner – Executive Principal

With over 26 years of experience in education, including 20 years dedicated to Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, I have worked extensively with children aged 5 to 16. I previously served as Headteacher of a therapeutic school, where I championed inclusive practices and supported young people with complex needs. I am passionate about education for all and firmly believe in providing fair access to learning—ensuring every young person is empowered to reach their full potential and successfully access further education and meaningful work destinations.

Jessica Wrigley – Principal Brook School

Jess has worked in education since 2001, with the majority of her career dedicated to supporting learners with Special Educational Needs. She has taught and held leadership roles in several non-maintained specialist schools, alongside eight years working within a local authority-run secure children’s home.

Throughout her career, Jess has been driven by a passion for supporting young people for whom education has previously been a barrier. She is deeply committed to trauma-informed and therapeutic practice, recognising that traditional approaches do not always meet the needs of every learner. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that if outcomes are to change, approaches must evolve, and that meaningful progress happens when education is tailored with empathy, flexibility and understanding.

Jess brings not only professional expertise, but lived experience of neurodiversity. As a parent of a teenager with ASD and ADHD, she understands first-hand the challenges families can face when navigating the education system. She is also part of a neurodiverse household and is a strong advocate for recognising and celebrating individual differences. This perspective informs her leadership, ensuring that compassion, collaboration and respect are embedded in the culture of the school.

Outside of school, Jess enjoys supporting her husband with his pet dog training business. Her approach to training, which is centred on kindness, positive reinforcement and wellbeing, closely mirrors her educational ethos. She believes that whether working with young people or animals, relationships, trust and emotional safety are fundamental to success.

Jess is proud to lead Brook School and is committed to building a nurturing, forward-thinking environment where learners feel understood, valued and empowered to thrive.

Community & Charity

The school will foster an ethos of charitable work, taking part in fundraising and awareness events, including Comic Relief, Mental Health Awareness and Cancer Research UK.

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