Braidwood School for the Deaf

Braidwood School for the Deaf is performing well, maintaining the standards established in its previous inspection. The school fosters a strong and supportive community that focuses on ambition and care, enabling deaf pupils to thrive both academically and socially. The curriculum is effectively designed to meet the individual needs of students, ensuring they become confident British Sign Language communicators and prepared for their future careers. However, some pupils face challenges in fully articulating their learning, which can impact their development as independent thinkers.

Strengths

• Strong community focus creating an inspirational environment.
• High expectations for learning and communication skills.
• Staff provide swift emotional and academic support.
• Well-planned curriculum from Year 7 to sixth form.
• Effective integration of mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Exemplary career guidance with deaf role models.
• Regular attendance and engagement with the community.

Areas for Improvement

• Some pupils lack sufficient opportunities to talk and sign at length.
• Younger pupils have limited chances to interact with the wider community.

In 2024–25 pupils at Braidwood School for the Deaf attended 88.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 33.8% 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, 6.5% of pupils at Braidwood School for the Deaf were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Braidwood School for the Deaf had 4.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.7% 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 Braidwood School for the Deaf had 82 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: hearing impairment.

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 Braidwood School for the Deaf received £33,969 and spent £31,730 for each of its 82 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £739,000 (£9,017 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 Braidwood School for the Deaf's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Braidwood School for the Deaf is Good, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Braidwood School for the Deaf last inspected by Ofsted?

Braidwood School for the Deaf was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Braidwood School for the Deaf have?

Braidwood School for the Deaf has 82 pupils on roll.

What age range does Braidwood School for the Deaf cover?

Braidwood School for the Deaf for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Braidwood School for the Deaf?

Braidwood School for the Deaf is at Bromford Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 8AF.