Talbot Specialist School

Talbot Specialist School continues to perform well, maintaining its status as a good school since its previous inspection. Pupils feel happy and safe, and they benefit from a well-adapted curriculum that supports their individual needs, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The school is characterized by strong staff-student relationships, effective behavior management, and a commitment to ensuring that all pupils progress towards their education, health, and care plan targets. Notably, the expansion of the sixth form has enhanced opportunities for students, and effective reading instruction has positively impacted literacy skills among pupils.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils
• Ambitious and well-adapted curriculum for individual needs
• Effective support for pupils with SEND
• High expectations of pupil behavior
• Well-planned lessons that engage and motivate pupils
• Positive preparation for life after school in the sixth form
• Focus on mental and physical health through dedicated lessons
• Effective governance that supports school improvement

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistencies in the delivery of essential knowledge due to inadequate medium-term planning
• Reduced breadth of the wider curriculum compared to pre-pandemic offerings

In 2024–25 pupils at Talbot Specialist School attended 89.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.2% 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, 0.4% of pupils at Talbot Specialist 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 Talbot Specialist School had 6.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 8.9% 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 Talbot Specialist School had 253 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty.

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 Talbot Specialist School received £32,355 and spent £36,170 for each of its 253 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £1,921,000 (-£7,595 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 Talbot Specialist School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Talbot Specialist School is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

When was Talbot Specialist School last inspected by Ofsted?

Talbot Specialist School was last inspected in September 2022.

How many pupils does Talbot Specialist School have?

Talbot Specialist School has 253 pupils on roll.

What age range does Talbot Specialist School cover?

Talbot Specialist School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Talbot Specialist School?

Talbot Specialist School is at Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S8 9JP.