Ridgeway School

Ridgeway School continues to perform effectively following its previous inspection, showcasing a dedication to meeting the unique needs of its pupils. Staff provide excellent personalized care, ensuring that students are heard, valued, and safe within a supportive environment. The curriculum is tailored specifically to the pupils, allowing them to achieve well against their educational, health, and care plan goals. Notably, all sixth-form pupils successfully transition to post-19 education or training, reinforcing the school's commitment to preparing students for adulthood through a well-structured life skills programme.

Strengths

• Excellent levels of personalized care and attention from dedicated staff.
• High levels of mutual respect among pupils and staff.
• Tailored curriculum that builds knowledge effectively from early years through to sixth form.
• Success in helping all sixth-form pupils transition to post-19 education or training.
• Effective life skills curriculum preparing pupils for adulthood.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistencies in matching early reading activities to pupils' abilities.
• Ineffectiveness in checking how well pupils recall and apply learning during independent tasks.
• Limited strategic oversight from governors during a period of operational focus.

In 2024–25 pupils at Ridgeway School attended 87.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 46.3% 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 Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway School had 8.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 18.3% 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 Ridgeway School had 125 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: physical disability; 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 Ridgeway School received £33,682 and spent £32,980 for each of its 125 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £252,000 (£2,015 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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What is Ridgeway School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Ridgeway School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was Ridgeway School last inspected by Ofsted?

Ridgeway School was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does Ridgeway School have?

Ridgeway School has 125 pupils on roll.

What age range does Ridgeway School cover?

Ridgeway School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

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

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

Where is Ridgeway School?

Ridgeway School is at Hill Rise, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7EB.