Furrowfield School

Furrowfield School is classified as a good school that has effectively navigated a period of significant change. The leadership team, along with an energized staff, has worked diligently to improve the educational experience for pupils, focusing on a curriculum that meets their social, emotional, and mental health needs. The school promotes positive relationships and provides a supportive environment where most pupils feel happy and safe. Notably, the arrangements for safeguarding are robust, ensuring that pupils receive timely support.

Strengths

• Effective action taken by leaders to improve the quality of education.
• Ambitious curriculum that meets pupils' SEMH needs.
• Strong focus on pupils' personal development and well-being.
• Supportive and caring relationships between staff and pupils.
• Successful implementation of reading support programs.
• Thoughtful use of alternative provisions to engage pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent mapping of key knowledge across all subjects.

In 2024–25 pupils at Furrowfield School attended 73.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 63.5% 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, 37.8% of pupils at Furrowfield 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 Furrowfield School had 4.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.8% 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 Furrowfield School had 101 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Furrowfield School received £30,378 and spent £32,478 for each of its 101 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £21,000 (-£211 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 Furrowfield School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Furrowfield School is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.

When was Furrowfield School last inspected by Ofsted?

Furrowfield School was last inspected in January 2023.

How many pupils does Furrowfield School have?

Furrowfield School has 101 pupils on roll.

What age range does Furrowfield School cover?

Furrowfield School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Furrowfield School?

Furrowfield School is at Whitehill Drive, Felling, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE10 9RZ.