Pathfield School

Pathfield School is performing well, having effectively maintained the standards noted during its previous inspection in 2019. The school caters to students aged 3 to 19 with profound and severe learning difficulties, alongside a specialized provision for those with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Strong points include the school’s engaging curriculum, which is tailored to meet individual student needs and promotes reading across all subjects. Pupils benefit from a supportive environment that helps them express their emotions and prepare for independent living, particularly as they transition into adulthood.

Strengths

• Strong focus on engaging curriculum tailored to individual pupil needs.
• Expertise in supporting pupils' emotional and behavioral needs.
• High success rate in teaching early reading and phonics.
• Personalized courses leading to valuable qualifications.
• Effective leadership and increased expectations of pupil learning.
• Strong focus on preparing students for independent adult lives.

Areas for Improvement

• Limited subject-specialist teaching for some secondary-aged pupils.
• Inadequate depth in certain subject areas for some students.

In 2024–25 pupils at Pathfield School attended 89.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 26.5% 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 Pathfield 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 Pathfield School had 7.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.0% 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 Pathfield School had 183 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; 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 Pathfield School received £30,352 and spent £30,087 for each of its 183 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £473,000 (£2,584 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 Barnstaple · Devon local authority: places and applications

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

• Marland School Torrington
• Barley Lane School Exeter
• Ellen Tinkham School Exeter
• Southbrook School Exeter
• Bidwell Brook School Totnes

What is Pathfield School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Pathfield School is Good, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Pathfield School last inspected by Ofsted?

Pathfield School was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Pathfield School have?

Pathfield School has 183 pupils on roll.

What age range does Pathfield School cover?

Pathfield School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is Pathfield School?

Pathfield School is at Abbey Road, Pilton, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1JU.