Baytree School

Baytree School is a maintained special school for pupils aged 3 to 19 who have severe and/or profound and multiple learning difficulties, all of whom have EHC plans. This graded inspection found an exceptional standard of education across both the original site and the Clevedon campus that opened in February 2024. The school was previously judged Good and now has outstanding provision in every area inspected, although under the current framework no overall effectiveness grade is awarded. The report highlights highly personalised sensory and subject-specific curriculums, precise EHC plan targets, and a strong focus on communication and independence. Pupils benefit from exemplary behaviour, remarkable personal development, a well-developed early reading curriculum, meaningful independence and community experiences, and an effective careers programme from the early years through to the sixth form. Safeguarding is effective. Leadership and governance are strong, and a compassionate outreach team supports pupils with complex medical needs at home or in hospital. No weaknesses or areas for improvement are identified in the report. Inspectors found the school's exceptional practice replicated consistently across both campuses, with pupils exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education and life outside school.

Strengths

• Exceptional personalised education for pupils with severe and/or profound learning difficulties
• Ambitious sensory and subject-specific curriculums aligned to precise EHC plan targets
• Strong focus on communication and independence through the 'golden threads'
• Exemplary pupil behaviour and a calm, purposeful environment across both campuses
• Highly effective early years provision that builds communication and early reading
• Well-developed pre-phonics and early reading curriculum
• Personalised independence skills taught across subjects and in the school flat
• Remarkable PSHE and personal development programme
• Effective careers programme starting in the early years, with work experience and successful transitions
• Compassionate outreach team supports pupils with complex medical needs at home or in hospital
• Strong leadership and governance with detailed knowledge and high expectations
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective
• Successful replication of the school's provision at the new Clevedon campus

In 2024–25 pupils at Baytree School attended 88.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.1% 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 Baytree 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 Baytree School had 6.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 7.3% 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 Baytree School had 148 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific 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 Baytree School received £40,702 and spent £40,710 for each of its 148 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £394,000 (£2,665 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 Weston-Super-Mare · North Somerset local authority: places and applications

What is Baytree School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Baytree School is Outstanding, from an inspection in October 2024.

When was Baytree School last inspected by Ofsted?

Baytree School was last inspected in October 2024.

How many pupils does Baytree School have?

Baytree School has 148 pupils on roll.

What age range does Baytree School cover?

Baytree School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is Baytree School?

Baytree School is at The Campus, Highlands Lane, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7DX.