The Swedish School

The Swedish School is a small, friendly independent school where pupils thrive. Inspectors found all evaluated areas at strong standard, safeguarding standards met and the independent school standards fully met. Pupils achieve very well across the curriculum, including above Swedish national averages in national tests for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Attendance is excellent, behaviour is mature and respectful, and classrooms are calm with well-embedded routines. The curriculum is high quality, well planned and sequenced, with strong reading and oracy. Early years provision gives children an excellent start in a warm, nurturing environment. Inclusion is central: leaders know pupils well and support those with SEND effectively. Leadership and governance are strong, staff feel valued and supported, and parents value the education and pastoral care. Personal development, enrichment, careers education and post-16 provision are rich and well thought through, preparing pupils well for their next steps, including competitive university places. The school has undergone significant changes since its previous inspection, including a new headteacher, and has 189 pupils on roll against a capacity of 330. Inspectors' only next step is to continue refining curriculum implementation so that excellent teaching has a transformational impact on all pupils, particularly those with SEND; no areas of underperformance were identified.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve very well, including above Swedish national averages in national tests
• Excellent attendance supported by meticulous tracking and early intervention
• Calm, respectful behaviour with clear and well-embedded routines
• High-quality, well-planned and well-sequenced curriculum
• Strong reading and oracy across the curriculum
• Warm and nurturing early years provision that gives children an excellent start
• Inclusion at the heart of the school, with effective support for pupils with SEND
• Strong leadership and governance, including robust trust challenge and support
• Staff feel well supported, valued and equipped to do their jobs effectively
• Comprehensive personal development and wellbeing programme
• Rich enrichment, trips and careers education
• Highly effective post-16 provision with strong progression to competitive universities
• Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum implementation should continue to be refined so excellent teaching consistently benefits all pupils, particularly those with SEND

In 2025–26, 2.3% of pupils at The Swedish School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 0.5% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is The Swedish School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Swedish School is Strong standard, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was The Swedish School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Swedish School was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does The Swedish School have?

The Swedish School has 216 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Swedish School cover?

The Swedish School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

Where is The Swedish School?

The Swedish School is at 82 Lonsdale Road, London, SW13 9JS.