Watergate School

Watergate School remains an outstanding institution, providing a safe and enjoyable learning environment where pupils are eager to engage in lessons. The leadership team has established a well-designed curriculum that caters effectively to the complex needs of its pupils, helping them to develop physical skills, independence, and communication abilities. Parents appreciate the school’s responsiveness and feel assured about their children’s progress and well-being. The exemplary behaviour of the pupils and the positive atmosphere foster strong relationships within the school community.

Strengths

• Ambitious and well-designed curriculum.
• Teachers use imaginative resources to enhance lessons.
• Effective, personalized assessments for each pupil.
• Continuous training and support for staff.
• Warm and positive working relationships between staff and pupils.
• Exceptional progress in communication and thinking skills.
• Broad range of activities promoting pupils' wider development.

In 2024–25 pupils at Watergate School attended 89.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 35.6% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Watergate School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Watergate School had 7.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 17.9% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Watergate School had 185 pupils, 97.8% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Watergate School received £37,006 and spent £38,672 for each of its 185 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £113,000 (£612 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Lewisham · Lewisham local authority: places and applications

Watergate School is part of *Co-Op Brent Knoll and Watergate Co-Operative Trust, which runs 2 schools. The nearest others:

• Brent Knoll School London

What is Watergate School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Watergate School is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2022.

When was Watergate School last inspected by Ofsted?

Watergate School was last inspected in May 2022.

How many pupils does Watergate School have?

Watergate School has 185 pupils on roll.

What age range does Watergate School cover?

Watergate School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Watergate School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Watergate School?

Watergate School is at Lushington Road, Bellingham, London, SE6 3WG.