Furze Down School

Furze Down School continues to excel as an outstanding school, known for its nurturing environment and supportive staff. The school's commitment to creating trusting relationships among pupils and educators fosters a positive atmosphere where students feel safe and engaged. Despite many pupils entering with significant learning gaps due to previous educational challenges, the skilled staff work diligently to address these needs, helping students catch up effectively. Additionally, the diverse and well-sequenced curriculum is tailored to meet the complex needs of pupils, ensuring they achieve success in their learning journey.

Strengths

• Highly trusting and respectful relationships between pupils and staff
• Exceptional support for pupils with complex special educational needs
• Well-sequenced and diverse curriculum that promotes independence
• Strong emphasis on literacy and reading skills
• Enthusiastic engagement in a range of extra-curricular activities
• High levels of attendance and positive communication with families
• Well-planned careers advice and future aspirations guidance
• Robust oversight by committed governors

In 2024–25 pupils at Furze Down School attended 86.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.6% 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, 3.7% of pupils at Furze Down 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 Furze Down School had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.6% 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 Furze Down School had 223 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; 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 Furze Down School received £35,420 and spent £37,652 for each of its 223 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £485,000 (£2,175 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 Buckingham · Buckinghamshire local authority: places and applications

What is Furze Down School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Furze Down School is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2024.

When was Furze Down School last inspected by Ofsted?

Furze Down School was last inspected in March 2024.

How many pupils does Furze Down School have?

Furze Down School has 223 pupils on roll.

What age range does Furze Down School cover?

Furze Down School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Furze Down School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Furze Down School?

Furze Down School is at Verney Road, Winslow, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 3BL.