Our Facilities

We have a number of specialist facilities at Five Acre Wood, to enhance the curriculum and learning experiences of our pupils.

Our hydrotherapy pool at the Loose site was completed in March 2021 and enables those pupils with physical disabilities to experience movement in water, within a warm and safe environment.  The new building boasts spacious changing areas and will also house a newly equipped multi-sensory room.

Also at Loose, we have three soft play provisions that are invaluable resources for the younger pupils.  Two are within the school building and the third is a soft play bus: The FAWbulous Bus. When using this facility, the pupils can explore and experiment with movement in a safe setting whilst having fun.  A Sensory room, provides pupils with access to cause and effect sensory activities to support their learning.

We have facilities at Loose, Snodland and Oxford Rd, in which some of the older pupils are able to cook their own meals. Our FAW Life Lodge based at the Loose Site, offers pupils from all sites,  the opportunity to learn and practise independent living skills.

We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Costa Coffee, to deliver our hospitality training academy, the FAwrient Express. This offers pupils from all sites a specialised curriculum providing opportunities from using a working cafe to learning hospitality skills, including barista training.

Our Outdoor Learning Environment, offers horticulture facilities at Loose support a bespoke curriculum offer for our pupils.  This has been enhanced by having some farm and small animals in our Apple Tree Yard and a Forest School.  We also have allotments for our older pupils.  Our five therapy dogs support the wellbeing of both pupils and staff.

Our multi-purpose school halls are used for P.E, assemblies and lunchtimes, as well as for lessons where more space is required.  A gym at our Snodland satellite provides the pupils with an alternative way to stay fit and healthy.

The library at our Loose Site is situated in the 7 FAW 7, the fuselage of a retired Airbus 319.  A bespoke counselling space is situated in the FAWtilus, a freefall lifeboat!

Early Years and some primary classes have their own outside learning spaces attached to their classrooms.

Play areas include a MUGA, all weather field and outside spaces, soft crumb and tarmac.  A bespoke climbing area is available for the pupils to use, along with sunken trampolines.  There is also a sensory garden at the Loose site.

Our SMILE Centre and the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS), offers outreach for schools within the Maidstone area.  Training courses are also held in our two conference rooms.

We have allotments, Forest School trail, sunken trampoline and outside gym equipment at our Snodland site.