Welcome to Minerva May School

It is with immense pride and joy that we welcome you to Minerva May School — a school built on strong family values, a deep sense of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing every young person in our care.

Our school was founded with a vision to provide an environment where children and young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism, and other related learning differences can thrive — academically, personally, and socially. Every aspect of our provision reflects our core values of Collaboration, Aspiration, Resilience, and Empowerment (CARE). These are not only the foundations of our ethos but also part of our founding story.

The inspiration for Minerva May School comes from the remarkable legacy of Minerva May, a dedicated Headteacher who devoted her life to supporting vulnerable young people through education. Her compassion and determination inspired generations of educators in her family — including our founder — who grew up witnessing the power of care, high expectations, and opportunity in transforming lives.

That legacy continues today. Our commitment is to create a nurturing, inclusive, and aspirational school community where every student is empowered to grow in confidence, develop independence, and achieve success in their own way.

At Minerva May School, we believe that education is a shared journey between staff, students, families, and the wider community. We take great pride in working together to provide enriching learning experiences, personalised support, and meaningful opportunities that help our students flourish.

Our school motto, “Together We Can,” embodies everything we stand for — collaboration, compassion, and collective achievement.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our story and for sharing in our journey. Together, we are building something truly special — a school where every young person is valued, supported, and inspired to succeed.

To learn more about the inspiration behind our school and the legacy that continues to guide us, please read Our Proprietor’s Message.