Cherry Oak School

Cherry Oak School has shown significant improvement since its last inspection, moving from a grade of 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good' across all domains. The school now provides a good quality of education and fosters positive relationships between staff, pupils, and families, which enhances the learning environment. Staff effectively support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere. The curriculum is well-planned, although there are areas where the clarity of expected learning outcomes could be improved. Overall, pupils are happy, engaged, and continuing to develop their confidence and skills.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils
• Good quality of education with a well-planned curriculum
• Effective support for pupils with special educational needs
• Safe environment prioritizing pupil wellbeing
• Wide range of enriching experiences for pupils
• High-quality teaching of reading skills

Areas for Improvement

• Some learning content lacks clarity and coherence
• Strategies for meeting specific needs are not always precise or timely
• Inconsistencies in classroom environment affect learning accessibility

In 2024–25 pupils at Cherry Oak School attended 92.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.2% 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 Cherry Oak 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 Cherry Oak School had 8.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 46.3% 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 Cherry Oak School had 112 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 Cherry Oak School received £29,804 and spent £28,470 for each of its 112 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,253,000 (£11,188 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 Cherry Oak School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Cherry Oak School is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.

When was Cherry Oak School last inspected by Ofsted?

Cherry Oak School was last inspected in April 2024.

How many pupils does Cherry Oak School have?

Cherry Oak School has 112 pupils on roll.

What age range does Cherry Oak School cover?

Cherry Oak School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Cherry Oak School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Cherry Oak School?

Cherry Oak School is at 60 Frederick Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, West Midlands, B29 6PB.