Woodlawn School

Woodlawn School continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing a good quality education for its pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school excels in creating a supportive environment where pupils can thrive academically and socially, aided by a strong therapeutic programme integrated into the curriculum. With effective leadership and a curriculum that is ambitious and tailored to pupils' needs, students are well-prepared for their future educational paths and have numerous opportunities to showcase their talents. Notable strengths lie in the school's focus on personal development and community engagement, although there are concerns regarding sixth-form attendance and some administrative aspects of safeguarding processes that require attention.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils foster positive attitudes towards learning.
• High-quality careers programme includes work experience and connections with local employers.
• Art is taught as a strength, enhancing creativity across the curriculum.
• Teachers are highly skilled in delivering reading instruction and phonics.
• Excellent personal development opportunities encourage community engagement.

Areas for Improvement

• Some students in the sixth form have low attendance.
• Administrative checks related to safeguarding lack appropriate rigour.

In 2024–25 pupils at Woodlawn School attended 90.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.7% 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, 1.1% of pupils at Woodlawn School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Woodlawn School had 8.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.4% 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 Woodlawn School had 178 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; physical 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 Woodlawn School received £27,194 and spent £26,567 for each of its 178 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £130,000 (£731 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).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Whitley Bay · North Tyneside local authority: places and applications

Woodlawn School is part of The North Tyneside Learning Trust, which runs 29 schools. The nearest others:

• Appletree Gardens First School Whitley Bay
• Monkseaton Coastal School Whitley Bay
• Monkseaton High School Whitley Bay
• Valley Gardens Middle School Whitley Bay
• Whitley Bay High School Whitley Bay
• Marden Bridge Middle School Whitley Bay
• Monkhouse Primary School North Shields
• Southlands School North Shields
• Marden High School North Shields
• Rockcliffe First School Whitley Bay

What is Woodlawn School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Woodlawn School last inspected by Ofsted?

Woodlawn School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Woodlawn School have?

Woodlawn School has 178 pupils on roll.

What age range does Woodlawn School cover?

Woodlawn School for pupils aged 2 to 18.

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

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

Where is Woodlawn School?

Woodlawn School is at Drumoyne Gardens, West Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE25 9DL.