Mapledown School

Mapledown School continues to be recognized as a good school following its recent ungraded inspection. The inspectors noted that evidence collected during the visit suggests that if graded, the school could potentially achieve an outstanding rating. Pupils at Mapledown feel safe and are generally happy, reflecting a school environment that emphasizes kindness and a strong culture against bullying. The curriculum is tailored to the unique needs of pupils, many of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), focusing particularly on developing vital communication and social skills.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and enjoy a welcoming environment.
• Strong focus on developing communication skills across the curriculum.
• Carefully thought-out and ambitious curriculum tailored for SEND pupils.
• Excellent support from a skilled staff team and specialists.
• Rich programs of extracurricular activities enhance social and cultural development.
• Positive relationships between pupils and staff foster an effective learning atmosphere.
• Comprehensive training for staff ensures effective delivery of the curriculum.

In 2024–25 pupils at Mapledown School attended 85.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 45.3% 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 Mapledown 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 Mapledown School had 5.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 13.0% 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 Mapledown School had 114 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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 Mapledown School received £42,782 and spent £43,183 for each of its 114 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £331,000 (£2,905 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).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is Mapledown School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Mapledown School is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.

When was Mapledown School last inspected by Ofsted?

Mapledown School was last inspected in January 2024.

How many pupils does Mapledown School have?

Mapledown School has 114 pupils on roll.

What age range does Mapledown School cover?

Mapledown School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Mapledown School?

Mapledown School is at Claremont Road, Cricklewood, London, NW2 1TR.