Southgate School

Southgate School has consistently maintained its status as a good school, demonstrating a strong commitment to providing a personalized education that meets the diverse needs of its pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Relationships between staff and pupils are secure, fostering a safe and supportive environment where pupils can thrive. The school has introduced improvements in the curriculum, particularly in reading and phonics, which have been positively received by students. However, there are areas requiring further attention, specifically in communication with parents regarding how they can assist their children with reading at home.

Strengths

• Personalized, aspirational, and specialist curriculum provided daily
• Strong relationships between staff and pupils, creating a secure environment
• Effective development of pupils' reading skills, supported by a well-stocked library
• Positive behaviour management leading to a calm and purposeful learning environment
• Wide variety of personal development experiences enriching the academic curriculum
• Supportive staff environment beneficial for early career teachers
• Active involvement of governors in school life

Areas for Improvement

• Insufficient information provided to parents on supporting reading at home
• Some pupils lack understanding of community risks

In 2024–25 pupils at Southgate School attended 90.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 31.7% 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 Southgate 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 Southgate School had 6.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 4.0% 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 Southgate School had 182 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; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; 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 Southgate School received £33,904 and spent £33,138 for each of its 182 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £167,000 (£916 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 Southgate School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Southgate School is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.

When was Southgate School last inspected by Ofsted?

Southgate School was last inspected in March 2024.

How many pupils does Southgate School have?

Southgate School has 182 pupils on roll.

What age range does Southgate School cover?

Southgate School for pupils aged 4 to 16.

What are Southgate School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Southgate School?

Southgate School is at Southfield Road, Almondbury, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD5 8TG.