The Dame Ellen Pinsent School

The Dame Ellen Pinsent School continues to maintain its outstanding status despite the recent ungraded inspection, though the evidence suggests that a graded inspection might yield a different outcome. The school is noted for its exceptional level of care and support for pupils, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Relationships among staff, pupils, and families are strong, contributing to a warm and nurturing environment where pupils feel safe and valued. The school's ambition for fostering independence and confidence among pupils is commendable, as are the wide variety of extracurricular opportunities available.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils
• Exceptional support for pupils with SEND
• High expectations for pupil behavior
• Well-resourced and interesting curriculum activities
• Commitment to teaching reading with accuracy
• Strong parental satisfaction and community regard

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent implementation of communication strategies in classrooms
• Lack of precise definitions for knowledge and skills in some curriculum areas
• Some lessons focus on experiences without identifying important knowledge for learning

In 2024–25 pupils at The Dame Ellen Pinsent School attended 92.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 22.1% 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, 0.7% of pupils at The Dame Ellen Pinsent 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 The Dame Ellen Pinsent School had 9.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 27.6% 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 The Dame Ellen Pinsent School had 158 pupils, 100.0% 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; 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 The Dame Ellen Pinsent School received £25,999 and spent £26,067 for each of its 158 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £556,000 (£3,516 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 Birmingham · Birmingham local authority: places and applications

The Dame Ellen Pinsent School is part of Birmingham Special Schools Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Fox Hollies School Birmingham
• Longwill A Primary School for Deaf Children Birmingham
• Baskerville School Birmingham
• Hamilton School Birmingham
• The Pines Special School Birmingham

What is The Dame Ellen Pinsent School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Dame Ellen Pinsent School is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2024.

When was The Dame Ellen Pinsent School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Dame Ellen Pinsent School was last inspected in July 2024.

How many pupils does The Dame Ellen Pinsent School have?

The Dame Ellen Pinsent School has 158 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Dame Ellen Pinsent School cover?

The Dame Ellen Pinsent School for pupils aged 5 to 11.

What are The Dame Ellen Pinsent School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Dame Ellen Pinsent School?

The Dame Ellen Pinsent School is at Ardencote Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, West Midlands, B13 0RW.