ARC Learning Hub

Carew Academy is a specialist school for students aged 7 – 18 with a wide range of ability levelsand additional learning needs, including complex needs. The school forms part of the Orchard Hill Academy Trust. Positive relationships are at the heart of everything the school does, and the community is proud of its four core values: Ambition, Independence, Resilience, and Care. In 2022, the school began its journey to becoming Trauma Informed and Attachment Aware by embarking on a two-year process to become a therapeutic school with TPC Therapy. Three years on the school continues to grow and thrive. After successfully completing the Therapeutic School Award, the school joined ARC, supported by Sutton Virtual School, and achieved Gold Status within their first year. The team at Carew has placed a huge amount of work into policy, procedure and every day practice, with staff consistently embedding relational approaches both in and out the classroom. This includes building strong, positive connections with families and the wider community. As a result of the relational approach, students’ regulation levels have improved, parental engagementis stronger, and the school climate is positive and restorative. A Carew student recently commented,“the thing is with detentions...they just made me more angry. At least with reflection I’m actually learning something”. 2025 marked a significant moment for the school community. It signalled the end of an era at the historic Carew Manor House and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in a brand-new, purpose-built building. The school is proud of its new facilities, complete with calm corners and breakout rooms; spaces designed to be therapeutic and meet the ever-growing needs of the students. In December 2025, the school applied to become a learning hub and hopes to share their journeyand key learnings with others. Looking ahead, the school aims to continue developing the relational approach to improve outcomes for students, advocate for children and young people with SEND, and build supportive partnerships with other schools.