West Oaks School

West Oaks School is a specialist provision in Leeds for pupils with education, health and care plans, most of whom have autism and communication difficulties. At its latest full inspection, the school was judged to be operating at a strong standard across every area evaluated, with safeguarding requirements met. Leaders, governors and staff have created a calm, caring and ambitious school in which pupils are known as individuals and make consistently strong progress from their own starting points.

Strengths

• Pupils make significant progress across all five personalised pathways.
• Attendance is strong, with robust systems and tailored support for families.
• Pupils feel safe, behave well, and form respectful relationships.
• The curriculum is skilfully designed and matched precisely to individual needs.
• Teaching is consistently strong across all pathways, with effective use of assessment.
• Communication and phonics are taught exceptionally well, including through symbols and signing.
• Children in the early years make particularly impressive progress and transition smoothly.
• Inclusion is highly effective, with strong multi-agency working and careful use of additional funding.
• Leadership and governance are highly effective, with a clear vision and strong staff development.
• Personal development is a central strength, offering rich experiences and life-skills preparation.
• Sixth-form students are very well prepared for positive destinations, including work and college.
• Staff, parents and pupils speak highly of the school and its leadership.
• There is little discernible difference in quality across the five pathways and three sites.

In 2024–25 pupils at West Oaks School attended 92.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 20.6% 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, 0.2% of pupils at West Oaks 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 West Oaks School had 9.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.6% 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 West Oaks School had 503 pupils, 99.6% 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; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; 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 West Oaks School received £26,199 and spent £24,024 for each of its 503 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £794,000 (£1,579 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 West Oaks School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for West Oaks School is Strong standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was West Oaks School last inspected by Ofsted?

West Oaks School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does West Oaks School have?

West Oaks School has 503 pupils on roll.

What age range does West Oaks School cover?

West Oaks School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are West Oaks School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is West Oaks School?

West Oaks School is at Crowther Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2ST.