Walworth School
Community special school in Newton Aycliffe (County Durham).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
Bluebell Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 7LP Walworth School is a maintained special school in County Durham. We provide specialist day and residential education for young children aged 4 to 11, whom exhibit Social, Emotional, Mental Health difficulties (Semh).
Before joining our school and as a result of their specific behavioural or learning needs many of our children will have been unable to access an educational curriculum effectively. Walworth School is committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential to make progress by supporting them through a personalised and engaging curriculum.
Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage. We will offer a supportive and nurturing environment where our children develop to accept responsibility for their actions, make positive decisions and display pro-social behaviour.
All pupils who attend Walworth School have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which identifies the school as the most appropriate provision for the child. The EHCP identifies the pupils primary and additional needs. These needs are reviewed annually through the Person Centred Review Plan.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
2 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Zones of Regulation
- Forest School
Awards
3 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- School Games MarkSport
- Stonewall School ChampionLGBT+ inclusion
- Wellbeing Award for SchoolsRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 114341
- Type
- Community special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- County Durham
- Constituency
- Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (8 current, 2 former)
Special schools governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Nikki Rutter | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Sherryl Butler | Governance Professional - Local Authority Maintained SchoolGovernance professional | since 2026 · until 2030 | |
| Mrs Chris Taylor | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Kelly Hetherington | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Valarie Hindmarch | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Kenneth Flynn | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Vicky Bourne | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Roland William Cooke | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2021 |
| Michelle Smith Former | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2023 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Ryan Todd Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 1 November 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record