This isn’t about reinventing the wheel or chasing headlines. It’s about building a place where children feel safe, seen and supported – where their needs shape the provision, not the other way round. It’s about meeting pupils with warmth and understanding, and giving them the space to succeed in a world that hasn’t always made room for them.

At the helm is Josh Tyers – a headteacher with experience, energy and a clear sense of purpose. From big city schools to small village primaries, headship at 25, and a whole lot of learning in between – Josh’s path has been anything but typical.

But then, Bosvena isn’t your typical school.

“This really is a team effort,” Josh says. “Everyone here has something special to offer – real skills, real passion – and together we’re building something that can change lives. Every decision we make is centred around the child and what they need to thrive. Our classrooms are calm, our groups are small, and the environment is carefully shaped so that children can begin to reframe their experience of school - and of themselves.”

Josh has handpicked a team – and a governing board – to reflect this. 

“The people I’ve brought in are the very best I know. We’ve brought in people who genuinely understand that behaviour is communication. People who won’t be fazed by big emotions. Who won’t take it personally. Who’ll show up – every day – because they believe in the kids and the mission. They are kids saying, ‘Are you going to leave me like everyone else?’ And our answer is always: no. We’re still here.

“It’s about building something bold, something brilliant. And you can’t do that with average. I want people who dream big and then chase it down.”

So what does the offer look like for families and young people?

“This is a school where your child will be met – not managed,” says Josh. “We’re building a creative curriculum with a forest school, gardening, art and music therapy, and trauma-informed interventions. Bosvena is being built on the foundations of trauma-informed practice – not just in theory, but in every fibre of the school’s culture. There’s a difference between being trauma-informed and trauma-responsive. One is about knowing the research. The other is about living it – and that’s what we’re aiming for. A place where every interaction helps a child feel safe enough to learn and connect.”

And success? It’s not about SATs or league tables here.

“Success is when our pupils see themselves as capable,” says Josh. “It’s when they want to be here, when their behaviour shifts from survival to connection, and when they trust us enough to tell their truth. It’s when they leave us not just with qualifications – but with hope in the future.”

As Bosvena gets ready to open its doors, Josh’s energy is infectious. He’s quick to laugh, doesn’t hide the challenges, and carries a steely, unwavering belief in what’s possible.

“I want to build something that outlasts me,” he says. “Something so strong, so embedded, that even when I step back – it runs without me. That’s the legacy. That’s Bosvena.”

Bosvena will be a specialist provision for learners aged 5 to 16-years-old whose needs cannot be met within a mainstream environment. All students will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in relation to their Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The school is going to open in September 2025.