Oversands School

Oversands School is an independent special school for pupils aged 5 to 19 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and other special educational needs and/or disabilities, most of whom have an education, health and care plan. This was a material change inspection considering the school’s proposal to increase its registered maximum number of pupils from 80 to 90. Inspectors concluded that the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change is implemented, and no significant concerns were identified.

Strengths

• The proprietor and governing board provide secure oversight and appropriate support and challenge to leaders.
• Governors bring relevant expertise in school leadership, behaviour analysis, safeguarding and social and health care.
• Leaders understand pupils’ differing needs, including their wellbeing, and put pupils’ best interests at the heart of decisions.
• The proprietor recruits well-qualified staff and provides regular, high-quality professional development.
• Safeguarding policy reflects the latest guidance and staff are well trained to keep pupils safe.
• Staff manage behaviour calmly and consistently, and pupils build positive relationships with trusted adults.
• Pupil-to-staff ratios are appropriate and are expected to remain so if the material change is approved.
• Bullying and derogatory language are rare, and leaders deal with incidents quickly and well.
• Health and safety, fire risk management and first aid systems are effective and followed diligently.
• Risk assessments are carefully managed and provide useful guidance for staff.
• Restrictive physical intervention is recorded carefully and analysed to reduce future occurrences.
• Recruitment procedures are robust and the single central record meets requirements.
• Washing, changing, showering and toileting facilities are ample, clean and support pupils’ dignity.
• The premises are well maintained, suitable for the proposed increase in pupils and conducive to learning.
• The school’s extensive outdoor space supports learning, social development, independence and resilience.
• The accessibility plan meets requirements and identifies further development to meet pupils’ diverse needs.

In 2025–26, 1.4% of pupils at Oversands School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 98.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Grange-Over-Sands · Westmorland and Furness local authority: places and applications

What is Oversands School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Oversands School is Good, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was Oversands School last inspected by Ofsted?

Oversands School was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does Oversands School have?

Oversands School has 73 pupils on roll.

What age range does Oversands School cover?

Oversands School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

What are Oversands School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 10.3, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Oversands School?

Oversands School is at Witherslack, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6SD.