Bidwell Brook School

Bidwell Brook School operates within the Learn to Live Federation and serves pupils with diverse and significant special educational needs, including profound and multiple learning disabilities and severe learning difficulties. The school demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusivity and fosters a safe, supportive environment for its 153 pupils. Safeguarding measures are robust, and the school is praised for its high expectations regarding attendance and behavior, creating a positive atmosphere conducive to learning. Overall, the school excels in personal development and wellbeing, evidenced by a curriculum that promotes self-discipline, community awareness, and prepares students effectively for life beyond school. Despite facing challenges related to staffing, recent improvements in staff morale and parental engagement are indicative of effective leadership. As the school aims to enhance curriculum consistency and clarity further, the current performance reflects a strong standard with opportunities for further growth and refinement.

Strengths

• Strong safeguarding culture ensuring pupils feel safe and supported.
• High expectations for attendance and behavior, adapted to individual needs.
• Robust personal development program fostering character and independence.
• Inclusive practices that ensure all pupils' needs are met effectively.
• Well-structured sixth-form provision preparing students for next steps.

Areas for Improvement

• Need for greater consistency in curriculum delivery.
• Requirement for clearer oversight of the impact of leadership decisions.

In 2024–25 pupils at Bidwell Brook School attended 89.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.7% 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, 0.7% of pupils at Bidwell Brook 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 Bidwell Brook School had 7.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.9% 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 Bidwell Brook School had 151 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

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

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 Bidwell Brook School received £30,435 and spent £29,566 for each of its 151 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £45,000 (-£301 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 Totnes · Devon local authority: places and applications

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

• Barley Lane School Exeter
• Southbrook School Exeter
• Ellen Tinkham School Exeter
• Marland School Torrington
• Pathfield School Barnstaple

What is Bidwell Brook School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Bidwell Brook School is Expected standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Bidwell Brook School last inspected by Ofsted?

Bidwell Brook School was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Bidwell Brook School have?

Bidwell Brook School has 151 pupils on roll.

What age range does Bidwell Brook School cover?

Bidwell Brook School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

What are Bidwell Brook School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Bidwell Brook School?

Bidwell Brook School is at Shinner's Bridge, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6JU.