A school built on relationships
Homebrook Woods Education is a small, specialist independent school in Chellaston, Derby — a warm, nurturing place for children who need something different.
Homebrook Woods has grown from a simple belief
Homebrook Woods was founded on one simple belief: every child deserves to feel safe, understood and supported to learn in the way that is right for them.
Throughout more than thirty years in education, I have had the privilege of working alongside incredible children, families and professionals. During that time, I repeatedly saw children whose strengths were hidden beneath anxiety, communication differences or educational environments that simply weren't meeting their needs.
I wanted to create something different.
Not simply another specialist school, but a calm, nurturing environment where children feel safe enough to be themselves, where relationships come before outcomes, and where education is shaped around each individual child.
At Homebrook Woods, we don't ask children to fit into our way of doing things. Instead, we take time to understand how each child learns, communicates and experiences the world, adapting our environment and our teaching to help them flourish.
Everything we do is underpinned by compassion, curiosity, collaboration and the belief that every child has the potential to succeed when given the right support.
Progressing through registration
Homebrook Woods is progressing through the Department for Education's independent school registration process. Alongside this, we are delivering our Foundations Provision, enabling children, families and professionals to benefit from our specialist therapeutic approach while the school prepares to open.
A photo tour of Homebrook Woods
Take a look around our setting — from our light-filled main room to our calm sensory space, kitchen and outdoor grounds.
Designed to support learning
Calm Classrooms
Low-stimulation, well-organised environments with clear visual structures and flexible seating.
Outdoor Learning
Our setting provides opportunities for outdoor learning, nature exploration and activity.
Sensory Space
Our purpose-built sensory room provides a quiet, safe space where children can regulate and decompress.
The people behind Homebrook Woods
Vonny
Headteacher · Director · Proprietor
Vonny has extensive experience across mainstream and specialist education, safeguarding, SEND and school leadership. She established Homebrook Woods with a clear vision of creating a calm, highly personalised learning environment where every child is understood, valued and supported to achieve meaningful success.
Leanne
SENDCO
Leanne will be joining the Homebrook Woods team, bringing extensive experience in SEND leadership and inclusive practice. Her expertise includes working closely with families, coordinating Education, Health and Care Plans, supporting staff and ensuring every child receives the provision they need to achieve positive outcomes.
Toni
Senior Teacher
Toni is an experienced senior leader with extensive knowledge of supporting children with SEND. She has particular expertise in adapting learning environments to meet individual sensory and learning needs, creating calm, inclusive spaces where children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.
Abbi
Lead Teacher
Abbi brings valuable experience supporting children with special educational needs. She has a particular strength in designing creative, engaging learning experiences that are personalised to each child, helping learning become enjoyable, meaningful and accessible for every learner.
Leadership & governance
Homebrook Woods is owned and led by Homebrook Woods Education Ltd, with Vonika Shelley serving as Proprietor and Headteacher. The Proprietor has overall responsibility for the strategic leadership, educational quality, safeguarding, financial oversight and regulatory compliance of the school.
To provide independent challenge, professional expertise and external scrutiny, Homebrook Woods is supported by an experienced Advisory Board comprising specialists in education, SEND, safeguarding and educational psychology. The Advisory Board provides strategic advice and constructive challenge but does not replace the legal responsibilities of the Proprietor.
Our Advisory Board
Jane Belinda Francis
Chair · Independent Education & Safeguarding Adviser
Former Headteacher, SENDCO and school improvement leader with extensive expertise in safeguarding, attendance, SEND, governance and strategic leadership.
Dr Maddi Popoola
Educational Psychology Adviser
Chartered Educational Psychologist, author and co-founder of NottAlone, providing specialist advice regarding child development, neurodiversity, mental health, learning and emotional wellbeing.
Sophie O'Regan
SEND & Inclusion Adviser
Experienced SENDCO and senior leader with extensive expertise in SEND, inclusion, EHCP provision, school improvement and supporting children and young people with additional needs.
To create a specialist learning community
To create a specialist learning community where neurodivergent children feel safe, valued and empowered to become confident, independent learners who are ready for the next stage of their educational journey and beyond.
What guides everything we do
Understanding
Every child communicates differently. We take time to listen, observe and understand.
Relationships
Positive, trusting relationships are at the heart of everything we do.
Belonging
Children thrive when they feel accepted, safe and valued.
Independence
We prepare children with the confidence and skills they need for life beyond Homebrook Woods.
Collaboration
We work closely with families and professionals because the best outcomes are achieved together.
Hope
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and to look forward to their future with confidence.
Expert guidance and oversight
Homebrook Woods benefits from the guidance of an experienced Professional Advisory Board, bringing together expertise across specialist education, SEND, therapeutic practice, safeguarding and school governance. The Board provides independent oversight, supports the development of our policies and practices, and helps ensure that the school maintains the highest professional standards as we grow. Board members are drawn from education, health and care settings and bring a broad perspective to the work of the school. We are grateful for their challenge, support and commitment to the children we serve. For further information about the Board, please contact us.
The safety of every child is our highest priority
The safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. Vonny Shelley serves as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Homebrook Woods operates in accordance with the statutory framework for safeguarding and child protection. Our Safeguarding Policy and other key governance documents are available to download from our Policies page.
View Policies