Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson, recently visited The Tower School in Epping to meet Acting Headteacher Natalie Aiken, tour the facilities, and speak with pupils. The visit follows the school’s recent Outstanding rating by Ofsted.
The Tower School supports 59 pupils aged 11–18, all of whom have autism and associated conditions. The school focuses on preparing young people for adulthood and their next steps in education, work, and life. During his visit, Dr Hudson learned more about the school’s highly regarded Preparing for Adulthood classes, which help pupils progress both academically and socially.
The school offers an impressive range of on-site facilities, including a fully equipped Science Laboratory, Food Technology Kitchen, and a dedicated Immersion Room. Additional features include a flexible hall and canteen space, therapy rooms, and a multi-purpose outdoor area. Ms Aiken highlighted the vital role of the school’s full on-site clinical team, and Dr Hudson was particularly impressed by the breadth of the specialist resources available.
During the visit, Dr Hudson met with Ms Aiken to discuss local Special Educational Needs (SEN) challenges and the broader issues affecting the school community.
Dr Hudson also heard about the school’s participation in the qualifying rounds of the Access Ability Cup, held at the Wembley Goals Football Facility. The Tower School team was selected by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and proudly wore a bespoke kit provided by the club.
Ms Natalie Aiken, Assistant Headteacher at The Tower School, said:
“The Tower School would like to thank Dr Neil Hudson for taking time out of his schedule to visit us.
“His genuine interest in understanding the diverse special educational needs across Epping highlights the importance of ensuring every child’s voice is heard and valued. We are grateful for the opportunity to share both the challenges and the successes of our school community.”
Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, said:
“It was a pleasure to visit The Tower School and witness firsthand the incredible work being done to support its pupils.
“It is clear how passionate the entire staff team is about helping young people thrive and ensuring their next steps in life are as smooth and successful as possible.”
