High Close School

High Close School is recognized as a good institution, demonstrating a supportive and inclusive environment where pupils feel cared for and motivated to learn. The school effectively caters to pupils with special educational needs, providing personalized support that helps them overcome barriers to learning. Pupils are encouraged to aim for academic success, and leaders are actively seeking to broaden opportunities for post-16 education and vocational pathways. Although the curriculum is well-structured, there is a recognized need to enhance career education and link it more effectively with practical work experiences.

Strengths

• Strong and trusting relationships between staff and pupils
• High expectations of behaviour with well-established routines
• Personalized support tailored to individual pupil needs
• Effective additional support for reading and literacy
• Pupils' personal development is well catered for

Areas for Improvement

• Limited opportunities for exploring vocational pathways
• Governors lack clear oversight of school improvement priorities
• Curriculum for careers education does not fully meet aspirations

In 2024–25 pupils at High Close School attended 87.9% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 38.8% 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, 11.0% of pupils at High Close 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 High Close School had 68 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 98.6%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; multi-sensory impairment; 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 non-maintained special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is High Close School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for High Close School is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was High Close School last inspected by Ofsted?

High Close School was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does High Close School have?

High Close School has 68 pupils on roll.

What age range does High Close School cover?

High Close School for pupils aged 7 to 18.

What are High Close School's GCSE results?

In 2018 its average Attainment 8 score was 14.7, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is High Close School?

High Close School is at Wiltshire Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1TS.