Samuel Pepys School

Samuel Pepys School continues to perform exceptionally well, maintaining high standards since its previous inspection. The school caters to pupils with complex needs, who demonstrate great determination and pride in their achievements. With a well-designed curriculum that integrates pupils' education, health, and care plans, the school enables its students to make excellent progress. The supportive environment fosters strong relationships among pupils and staff, contributing to positive learning experiences and high expectations.

Strengths

• Exceptional curriculum designed to meet the needs of pupils with complex needs.
• High-quality teaching staff who are well trained and effectively meet pupils' needs.
• Strong emphasis on building communication and reading skills in early years and beyond.
• Positive behavior management, with pupils showing respect and excellent conduct.
• Effective preparation for adult life, including work experience and community service opportunities.
• Strong parent and community support for the school.

In 2024–25 pupils at Samuel Pepys School attended 90.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 29.0% 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 Samuel Pepys 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 Samuel Pepys School had 7.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.1% 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 Samuel Pepys School had 138 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 Samuel Pepys School received £29,913 and spent £28,287 for each of its 138 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £509,000 (£3,687 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 St Neots · Cambridgeshire local authority: places and applications

What is Samuel Pepys School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Samuel Pepys School is Outstanding, from an inspection in January 2025.

When was Samuel Pepys School last inspected by Ofsted?

Samuel Pepys School was last inspected in January 2025.

How many pupils does Samuel Pepys School have?

Samuel Pepys School has 138 pupils on roll.

What age range does Samuel Pepys School cover?

Samuel Pepys School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

What are Samuel Pepys School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Samuel Pepys School?

Samuel Pepys School is at Cromwell Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2EZ.