Barley Lane School

Barley Lane School is providing a calm and nurturing environment where pupils feel valued and safe. Although the school promotes positive relationships and respect among pupils, concerns have been noted regarding the quality of education, which requires improvement. The curriculum lacks clarity in essential knowledge and skills across some subjects, hindering deep understanding and learning. Nevertheless, the school excels in personal development and pupil behavior, fostering an environment where students are engaged and enthusiastic learners.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and well-supported in a nurturing environment.
• Strong emphasis on building relationships with pupils and families.
• High expectations for pupil behavior resulting in good attitudes to learning.
• Effective support for reading development, giving pupils daily opportunities to improve.
• Wide range of additional experiences to enhance confidence and personal development.

Areas for Improvement

• The quality of education is not good due to unclear key knowledge and skills in some subjects.
• Monitoring and evaluation processes are underdeveloped, affecting the school's effectiveness.
• Staff subject knowledge is insufficient in some areas, impacting pupils' learning.

In 2024–25 pupils at Barley Lane School attended 86.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.6% 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, 11.8% of pupils at Barley Lane School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 2 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 Barley Lane School had 4.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.6% 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 Barley Lane School had 80 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Barley Lane School received £34,384 and spent £37,772 for each of its 80 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £114,000 (£1,420 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

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

• Southbrook School Exeter
• Ellen Tinkham School Exeter
• Bidwell Brook School Totnes
• Marland School Torrington
• Pathfield School Barnstaple

What is Barley Lane School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Barley Lane School is Requires Improvement, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Barley Lane School last inspected by Ofsted?

Barley Lane School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Barley Lane School have?

Barley Lane School has 80 pupils on roll.

What age range does Barley Lane School cover?

Barley Lane School for pupils aged 7 to 16.

What are Barley Lane School's GCSE results?

In 2024 its average Attainment 8 score was 7.6, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Barley Lane School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Barley Lane School?

Barley Lane School is at Barley Lane, St Thomas, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1TA.