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The Aurora Group | Special Needs & Disability (SEND) Schools

Aurora Hanley has been awarded the top national accolade of ‘Tes Specialist Provision School of the Year.’

The school are championing sustainability and community issues, and their recent Community Food Project which tackles food waste and food poverty impressed the judges.

Head of School Julie Martin said: “It is a huge honour to collect the award for ‘Specialist Provision School of the Year’ on behalf of our Aurora Hanley Team at the TES awards.

“I’m so very proud of our students and the barriers they overcome to achieve all that they do, and of our wonderful team who constantly go the extra mile to support them.  It’s brilliant to be recognised on the national stage in this way and it has been a huge boost for our whole school community”  

“Tracy Whitehurst, Principal, said: Winning the TES Specialist Provision of the Year was something that seemed to happen to other people in other schools. The journey started in 2017 with an empty building, no systems, processes or curriculum. So I am exceptionally proud that staff that started around that time as myself are still with the school and Aurora today. 

“It‘s such an honour for not only the school, but Aurora, to be recognised for the fantastic work that goes on every day, by every single member of staff. 

“We love seeing our young people grow more resilient, and the barriers to education melt away. 

“At Hanley, the school and the team never set out to be recognised in this way, they just enjoy working with the young people in the most creative, hands on, heart-led way possible. 

“With a backbone of Aurora Values we truly all believe in our moto, Empowering Uniqueness, Realising Potential and Building Resilience through everything we deliver.”

Sharon Pearson, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The purpose of The Aurora Group is to make a difference to the lives of children and young people and we do this through supporting and developing schools, leaders and staff to replicate the success of Hanley across the country”.

Jon Severs, Tes editor and chair of the Tes Schools Awards judges, said: “It is such a joy to be able to celebrate the amazing work schools do - day in, day out - in increasingly difficult conditions”.

“Those who work in schools go the extra mile in all facets of their roles and it is fantastic to be able to say thank you to them through the Tes Schools Awards.”