Ellen Tinkham School

Ellen Tinkham School is recognized as a good special education institution that fosters a warm, caring community while serving students with a range of special educational needs and disabilities. The high expectations set by staff and the personalized curriculum contribute to students becoming confident and well-prepared for their future education and lives. Notably, the school excels in behavior and attitudes, with supportive staff ensuring a positive and inclusive environment for all students.

Strengths

• Outstanding behavior and attitudes of pupils
• Strong personal development programs
• High expectations for student achievement
• Effective support and care from staff
• Inclusive school environment with diverse extracurricular activities
• Strong commitment to reading and phonics instruction
• Well-prepared students for life after school

Areas for Improvement

• Some teachers lack expertise in delivering certain subjects, affecting student learning

In 2024–25 pupils at Ellen Tinkham School attended 91.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.3% 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, 0.8% of pupils at Ellen Tinkham 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 Ellen Tinkham School had 7.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.7% 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 Ellen Tinkham School had 240 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; 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 Ellen Tinkham School received £30,008 and spent £29,360 for each of its 240 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £12,000 (-£52 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 Exeter · Devon local authority: places and applications

Ellen Tinkham School is part of Sentient Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Southbrook School Exeter
• Barley Lane School Exeter
• Bidwell Brook School Totnes
• Marland School Torrington
• Pathfield School Barnstaple

What is Ellen Tinkham School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Ellen Tinkham School is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.

When was Ellen Tinkham School last inspected by Ofsted?

Ellen Tinkham School was last inspected in June 2023.

How many pupils does Ellen Tinkham School have?

Ellen Tinkham School has 240 pupils on roll.

What age range does Ellen Tinkham School cover?

Ellen Tinkham School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

What are Ellen Tinkham School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Ellen Tinkham School?

Ellen Tinkham School is at Hollow Lane, Pinhoe, Exeter, Devon, EX1 3RW.