AKELEY WOOD SCHOOL
A school where childhood matters
Akeley Wood School is an independent co-educational day school for children aged 1 to 18*, set across two campuses in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. We help children discover their talents, grow their character and develop the courage, responsibility and curiosity they need for school life now and for the future that follows.
Families join us from Nursery through to Sixth Form, with each stage shaped for the age and needs of the children within it. If you are exploring the right school for your child, Akeley Wood gives you a complete journey to consider, from the earliest years to A Level study.
*From September 2027 we will be admitting children from the age of 2.
ONE SCHOOL JOURNEY
An independent school for children aged 1 to 18*
At Akeley Wood, we believe education should be about more than preparing children for what comes next. School should be inspiring, enriching and rewarding each day, giving children the skills and results they need while also giving them a childhood full of joy, curiosity and adventure.
Our school is a vibrant, co-educational day school, based between Buckingham and Milton Keynes. With campuses close to the Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire border, we give families access to a full independent education in a countryside setting.
Across the school, we aim to shape interested and interesting young people. Pupils are encouraged to become curious, independent thinkers with courage, responsibility and the confidence to discover their place in the world.
That ambition sits alongside a simple belief: your child’s school days matter now. We want pupils to achieve well, and we also want them to remember school as a place of discovery, friendship, effort and adventure.
If you would like to find out more about Akeley Wood, you can explore our values and approach to academic excellence or speak to our Admissions Team about the right entry point for your child.
*From September 2027 we will be admitting children from the age of 2.
Next Steps
LEARNING AT AKELEY WOOD
Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form pathways
Akeley Wood gives families a continuous pathway from Nursery to Sixth Form. Children can begin in Nursery, move through Reception and Junior School, continue into Senior School from age 11, and progress to Sixth Form for A Level study from age 16.
Our Nursery at Wicken Park gives children a happy, nurturing start to their school journey. Reception and Junior School then further build early literacy, numeracy, curiosity and self-assurance, supported by classroom teachers, subject specialists and generous outdoor space.
Senior School is for pupils aged 11 to 16, with a curriculum designed to develop knowledge across core GCSE subjects and a wider range of topics. Our Sixth Form, focuses on academic excellence and preparation for life beyond study, helping students bridge the gap between school and university.
The stages are connected, but they are not treated as identical. Younger children need care, routine and discovery; older pupils need academic stretch, independence and guidance as they make choices about GCSEs, A Levels and their next steps.
Begin your Akeley Wood School journey.
From Nursery to Sixth Form, Akeley Wood School will nurture and develop individual talent while providing an exceptional academic foundation.
1 - 4 years old*
4 - 5 years old
5 - 11 yrs old
11 - 16 yrs old
16 - 18 yrs old
Straightforward and simple
Learning with values
Learning that values childhood and achievement
Learning at Akeley Wood combines academic ambition with curiosity, creativity and character. We are proud of our academic curriculum and of the experiences that help pupils discover what they enjoy, what they can contribute and how they learn best.
In the Early Years and Junior School, children build confidence through classroom learning, specialist teaching and time outdoors. As they move into Senior School, the curriculum widens and students develop the knowledge, habits and independence needed for GCSE study.
In the Senior School, Friday afternoons are dedicated to the Enriched Curriculum programme. Pupils choose activities that stimulate body and mind, try something new and learn alongside students from different year groups.
The wider curriculum includes sport, music and creative arts within the school week. Children are encouraged to develop existing interests and to find new ones, whether through debating, coding, eco action, fitness, archery or other activities offered on rotation.
Parents can explore curriculum, academic excellence and enrichment pages for the detail behind each stage. Those stage pages show how learning changes as pupils grow, and what support sits around each child.
Beyond the Classroom
Life beyond the classroom
Akeley Wood pupils have plenty of opportunities to build confidence, friendships and independence beyond the classroom. From Reception, they can choose from around 35 activities, including gardening, chess, programming, sports, yoga and band practice, with sessions at break, lunchtime and after school.
Trips and residential experiences add to school life, from Junior School visits and annual residential trips from Year 3 to Senior School trips in the UK and overseas, including subject visits and sports tours.
Wraparound care is also available to support family routines. Junior pupils can access before and after school care, while Senior students can arrive from 8:30 am and attend selected after-school and homework clubs.
Wellbeing for each child
Pastoral care and wellbeing
Children learn best when they feel known and supported. Our pastoral approach includes regular check-ins, open communication, weekly celebration of achievements and clear routes for pupils to ask for help.
Younger pupils can use tools such as the Worry Monster when they need support but cannot easily explain how they feel. Junior children also have access to one-to-one support and small-group sessions when they need additional help.
In Senior School and AW6, pupils start each day with routines and assemblies focused on the school’s values of Kindness, Respect, Charity and Community. These values are supported by Learner Habits of Aspiration, Resilience, Responsibility, Integrity and Courage.
Students also have wellbeing check-ins, reflection journals, student ambassadors, access to a school counsellor, a flexible Life Learning curriculum and resources through The Wellbeing Hub. This gives pupils and families different ways to seek guidance, reflect on progress and talk about wellbeing before concerns become too large.
Character Education also supports pupils as they grow. It focuses on values and virtues such as respect, responsibility, fairness, citizenship, trustworthiness and caring, helping pupils become reflective young people who can contribute positively to their communities.
OUR CAMPUSES
Two campuses near Buckingham and Milton Keynes
Each Akeley Wood campus is designed around a different stage of your child’s education, giving pupils the environment, facilities and support that best match their age and development.
Wicken Park is home to our Nursery and Junior School. Alongside bright learning spaces, children enjoy outdoor environments including the Junior Forest School and dedicated areas where learning continues beyond the classroom.
Akeley Wood House is our Senior School and Sixth Form campus, combining historic surroundings with modern classrooms and specialist subject facilities. Pupils also benefit from an Outdoor Learning area in the woods, complete with a fire pit and low ropes course.
The best way to experience our campuses is to visit in person, meet our staff and pupils, and explore the facilities that support every stage of an Akeley Wood education.
Akeley Wood House
Senior School and Sixth Form campus with historic character, modern teaching spaces and specialist facilities.
Wicken Park
Home to Nursery and Junior School, with bright classrooms and outdoor spaces designed for younger children.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Visit the school or speak to admissions
The best next step is to experience Akeley Wood for yourself. Families can attend an open day or arrange a personal tour, giving you time to meet staff, see the campuses and ask questions about your child’s stage.
Our Admissions Team can talk with you about your child, year group availability and the right route into the school. You can call General Admissions on 01280 828 122 or complete an enquiry form so the team can contact you.
When you are ready to apply, the admissions process includes registration, a taster day, an offer stage and preparation for your child’s first day. The school encourages early applications for September entry and, where spaces allow, welcomes mid-year joiners during the academic year.
We will help you along each step of the way, from the first conversation through to your child’s first day at Akeley Wood.
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At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
Lest We Forget.
- Discover our 2027 Places -
Discover a school where children find their strengths, grow in confidence and are supported to achieve their potential.
Book your private tour of Akeley Wood School via our website. ⬆️
Discover. Grow. Achieve.
Welcome back to all of our students and staff after the half-term break. We hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends.
- Active Participants -
20 students from Years 8-12 enjoyed an unforgettable trip to the Loire Valley, combining language learning with cultural exploration.
From visiting the magnificent Château de Chenonceau and Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence at Clos Lucé to tasting local chocolate and patisserie, students immersed themselves in French history, culture and daily life.
Along the way, they embraced every opportunity to practise their French, building confidence through real-world experiences. A visit to Futuroscope and an evening laser show provided the perfect finale to a memorable and enriching trip. ✨
