Sandside Lodge School

Sandside Lodge School continues to be rated good overall, but evidence suggests it could potentially achieve an outstanding grade in a future graded inspection. The school excels in nurturing its pupils, many of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and its focus on preparing students for adulthood is a key strength. Expert staff tailor education to meet individual needs, helping pupils to make significant progress in their learning while promoting their independence and communication skills.

Strengths

• Expert staff support pupils with SEND effectively.
• Ambitious and bespoke curriculum tailored to individual needs.
• Pupils demonstrate considerable progress in communication and language skills.
• Exemplary behaviour and positive relationships among pupils.
• Exceptional opportunities for personal development and community engagement.

In 2024–25 pupils at Sandside Lodge School attended 91.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 26.3% 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 Sandside Lodge 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 Sandside Lodge School had 7.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.0% 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 Sandside Lodge School had 104 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.

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 Sandside Lodge School received £36,899 and spent £36,780 for each of its 104 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £370,000 (-£3,557 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

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What is Sandside Lodge School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Sandside Lodge School is Good, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Sandside Lodge School last inspected by Ofsted?

Sandside Lodge School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Sandside Lodge School have?

Sandside Lodge School has 104 pupils on roll.

What age range does Sandside Lodge School cover?

Sandside Lodge School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Sandside Lodge School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Sandside Lodge School?

Sandside Lodge School is at Springfield Road, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0DZ.