Woolley Wood School

Woolley Wood School has been confirmed as a good school during its recent inspection. The school meets the needs of 106 pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties, fostering an environment where students are enthusiastic and eager to learn. Strong relationships between staff, pupils, and families contribute to a positive atmosphere where students can thrive. The curriculum has been crafted to support individual pupils' needs, focusing on developing communication and reading skills effectively despite some inconsistencies in phonics assessment.

Strengths

• High expectations leading to increased pupil independence.
• Strong relationships between staff, pupils, and families.
• Effective personal, social, and health education curriculum.
• Pupils demonstrate pride in their learning and achievements.
• Well-planned early years provision that fosters social skills.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent assessment of phonics progress.
• Governors do not challenge senior leaders rigorously enough.

In 2024–25 pupils at Woolley Wood School attended 85.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 47.3% 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 Woolley Wood 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 Woolley Wood School had 8.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.7% 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 Woolley Wood School had 101 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; multi-sensory impairment; 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 Woolley Wood School received £29,655 and spent £30,712 for each of its 99 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £8,000 (£79 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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What is Woolley Wood School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Woolley Wood School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Woolley Wood School last inspected by Ofsted?

Woolley Wood School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Woolley Wood School have?

Woolley Wood School has 101 pupils on roll.

What age range does Woolley Wood School cover?

Woolley Wood School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Woolley Wood School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Woolley Wood School?

Woolley Wood School is at Chaucer Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S5 9QN.