Mayfield School

Mayfield School continues to demonstrate excellence in providing an outstanding education tailored to the needs of its pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school fosters a welcoming environment where students are valued, supported, and encouraged to achieve their best. With highly positive relationships between pupils and staff, alongside an ambitious and personalized curriculum, students excel academically and socially. The school also prioritizes students' holistic development through varied learning opportunities and effective support systems, ensuring they are well-prepared for future transitions into further education or employment. Notably, the recent inspection underlines that Mayfield School remains committed to nurturing pupil growth through an ambitious curriculum and robust support for communication skills. Staff are well-trained to address individual needs, leveraging detailed education, health and care plans to enhance learning outcomes. As a result, pupils demonstrate remarkable progress and develop positive attitudes towards their health, safety, and education, further indicating the school's ongoing success since its last inspection in 2012.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve exceptionally well and thrive in a supportive environment.
• The curriculum is highly ambitious and personalized for each pupil.
• Students in the sixth form gain an impressive suite of qualifications.
• Strong focus on developing communication skills amongst pupils.
• Robust transition programs support pupils at different stages of their education.
• Pupils have positive attitudes towards learning and well-being.
• Effective safeguarding measures are in place.

In 2024–25 pupils at Mayfield School attended 91.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 23.3% 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, 0.4% of pupils at Mayfield 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 Mayfield School had 7.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 7.6% 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 Mayfield School had 274 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty.

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 Mayfield School received £31,531 and spent £31,234 for each of its 274 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £63,000 (-£232 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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• Secondary Schools

All schools in Whitehaven · Cumberland local authority: places and applications

What is Mayfield School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Mayfield School is Outstanding, from an inspection in December 2023.

When was Mayfield School last inspected by Ofsted?

Mayfield School was last inspected in December 2023.

How many pupils does Mayfield School have?

Mayfield School has 274 pupils on roll.

What age range does Mayfield School cover?

Mayfield School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is Mayfield School?

Mayfield School is at Campus Whitehaven, Red Lonning, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 8UG.