Welcome from the Headteacher

Strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do at The Arnewood School. It is a truly wonderful place to grow, learn and belong - rooted in the heart of the New Forest community it has proudly served since 1970.

Children thrive when they feel safe, seen and believed in. That is where our ambition begins.

Arnewood is a community built on knowing each person well - their character, their strengths, and what they need to flourish. Every individual is met with genuine care and high expectations. Here, students are seen and celebrated, supported to discover what they love to learn, and given the confidence to aim high. That combination of warmth and challenge is not a compromise. It is the point.

We hold our students to high standards because we believe in what they are capable of. In recent years we have embraced the growing evidence around the science of learning to inform our teaching and partnered with Walkthrus to ensure that staff have the tools, language and support to deliver consistently excellent learning experiences - every lesson, every day. We were also thrilled to host the nationally recognised Big Classroom event at Arnewood in 2026.

Life at Arnewood extends well beyond the classroom. From our annual school production - which draws on the talents of hundreds of students each year - to trips to New York, Poland and the Azores, our Orchestra and Duke of Edinburgh programme to the Arnewood Listens student voice initiative and a leadership structure that gives students a genuine say in their school, we want every young person to discover what they love, who they are and what they are capable of.

Arnewood is a community that grows with you - all the way through to Sixth Form. Students are not just prepared for the next stage but supported through it, in the same environment, by the same people who have invested in them from the start. Watching a student arrive in Year 7 and leave as a confident, capable young adult ready for university, an apprenticeship, or the world of work is one of the great privileges of this place. That journey does not end at the school gates. Arnewood alumni are out there doing remarkable things - in their local communities and on a global stage - and their achievements are a constant reminder of what is possible for every member of our community today.

Our three values - Ambition, Success, Together - are not just words on a wall. They describe who we are, how we work, and where we are headed. It is an exciting time for Arnewood, and we would love you to be part of it.

Jamie Anderson 
Headteacher