Elmfield School for Deaf Children

Elmfield School for Deaf Children is performing well overall, as evidenced by their continued designation as a good school. The school excels in providing a supportive environment for deaf pupils, helping them to understand and embrace their deaf identity. Pupils feel safe and valued, benefiting from strong staff relationships and a nurturing atmosphere that encourages them to express themselves and prepare for future challenges. Parents have reported positive experiences regarding their children's growth and development.

Strengths

• Pupils are well-supported in understanding their deaf identity.
• Strong relationships foster a positive and trusting environment.
• High expectations lead to good behavior from pupils.
• Staff are dedicated and knowledgeable about supporting pupils' needs.
• Wider personal development is enriched by diverse experiences.
• Effective safeguarding measures are in place to protect pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum alignment with pupils' needs is not fully established.
• Teachers lack subject-specific knowledge impacting learning effectiveness.
• Governors have not sufficiently focused on curriculum quality.

In 2024–25 pupils at Elmfield School for Deaf Children attended 84.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 46.7% 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, 4.0% of pupils at Elmfield School for Deaf Children 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 Elmfield School for Deaf Children had 3.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% 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 Elmfield School for Deaf Children had 53 pupils, 96.2% 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 Elmfield School for Deaf Children received £43,459 and spent £47,266 for each of its 53 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £935,000 (-£17,646 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 Elmfield School for Deaf Children's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Elmfield School for Deaf Children is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.

When was Elmfield School for Deaf Children last inspected by Ofsted?

Elmfield School for Deaf Children was last inspected in June 2023.

How many pupils does Elmfield School for Deaf Children have?

Elmfield School for Deaf Children has 53 pupils on roll.

What age range does Elmfield School for Deaf Children cover?

Elmfield School for Deaf Children for pupils aged 2 to 16.

Where is Elmfield School for Deaf Children?

Elmfield School for Deaf Children is at Sheridan Road, Horfield, Bristol, Bristol, BS7 0PU.