Ivel Valley School & College

Ivel Valley School and College continues to be recognized as a good school following its latest ungraded inspection. The school provides a nurturing environment where pupils thrive and develop effective communication skills as part of their learning. High expectations from staff contribute to a positive atmosphere where pupils become confident and happy learners, engaging actively with their individualized learning plans. While the school excels in blending academic and personal development, the upcoming graded inspection may reveal an even higher standard of performance based on current evidence. The next inspection will assess these improvements more formally.

Strengths

• Pupils thrive in a warm and nurturing environment.
• High expectations of all pupils lead to their success.
• Curriculum plans effectively meet a wide range of complex needs.
• Teachers have a deep understanding of pupils' needs.
• Strong focus on preparation for adulthood integrated throughout the curriculum.
• Effective communication skills are central to the learning process.
• Pupils enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities.

Areas for Improvement

• Governors lack clarity on the impact of leaders' work across all areas.

In 2024–25 pupils at Ivel Valley School & College attended 89.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.8% 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, 1.2% of pupils at Ivel Valley School & College 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 Ivel Valley School & College had 3.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.1% 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 Ivel Valley School & College had 261 pupils, 100.0% 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 Ivel Valley School & College received £35,372 and spent £35,576 for each of its 261 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £195,000 (£746 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 Biggleswade · Central Bedfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Ivel Valley School & College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Ivel Valley School & College is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.

When was Ivel Valley School & College last inspected by Ofsted?

Ivel Valley School & College was last inspected in October 2023.

How many pupils does Ivel Valley School & College have?

Ivel Valley School & College has 261 pupils on roll.

What age range does Ivel Valley School & College cover?

Ivel Valley School & College for pupils aged 3 to 19.

What are Ivel Valley School & College's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Ivel Valley School & College?

Ivel Valley School & College is at Hitchmead Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0NL.