Holmwood School

Holmwood School is a special school for pupils aged 4 to 11, all of whom have an education, health and care plan, and it is performing exceptionally well across all inspected areas. Leaders have created a nurturing environment with high expectations, and pupils who have had difficult previous school experiences flourish, achieve well and leave prepared for their next steps. The curriculum is rich, well developed and carefully designed to meet pupils' SEND, including those in the specially resourced provision, and staff are knowledgeable and determined that all pupils progress academically and socially. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are exemplary, classrooms are calm and respectful, and attendance is strong because of well-embedded systems and caring staff. Personal development is a particular strength, extending across school life through artistic, sporting, residential and community opportunities that build confidence, independence and preparation for adulthood. Staff feel supported with their workload and well-being, governors know the school well and challenge leaders robustly, and safeguarding arrangements are effective. This was a graded inspection, and under the arrangements from September 2024 the school was not given an overall effectiveness grade.

Strengths

• Exceptional quality of education with a rich, well-developed curriculum
• Curriculum carefully designed to meet the needs of all pupils with SEND
• Staff expertly target reading and phonics support to improve accuracy and fluency
• Effective interventions help pupils catch up and keep up in writing and mathematics
• Pupils' behaviour is exemplary and classrooms are calm and disruption-free
• Staff expertly support pupils to manage their behaviour independently
• Pupils attend school very well through well-embedded attendance systems
• Personal development is exceptional and embedded across all aspects of school life
• Wide range of artistic, sporting, residential and community opportunities
• Pupils are well prepared for adulthood through practical life skills
• Staff feel leaders are considerate of their workload and well-being
• Governors know the school very well and challenge leaders robustly
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective

In 2024–25 pupils at Holmwood School attended 94.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 16.3% 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 Holmwood 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 Holmwood School had 7.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 6.6% 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 Holmwood School had 100 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; 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 Holmwood School received £31,917 and spent £31,615 for each of its 100 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £564,000 (£5,645 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 Holmwood School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Holmwood School is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Holmwood School last inspected by Ofsted?

Holmwood School was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Holmwood School have?

Holmwood School has 100 pupils on roll.

What age range does Holmwood School cover?

Holmwood School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

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

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

Where is Holmwood School?

Holmwood School is at Saltersgill Avenue, Easterside, Holmwood School, Middlesbrough, TS4 3PT.