Longcause Community Special School

Longcause Community Special School continues to maintain a good overall judgement following its recent inspection. While the school currently holds this grade, evidence suggests that a future graded inspection may yield an outstanding rating. The environment at Longcause is calm and supportive, allowing pupils to flourish and develop impressive relationships with staff and peers. Parents express high satisfaction with the support provided, further contributing to a thriving school atmosphere.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve exceptionally well due to high expectations and targeted support.
• The school has a strong focus on developing communication skills using various methods.
• Reading instruction is effective, with tailored phonics teaching enhancing literacy development.
• Pupils enjoy a rich range of educational opportunities and experiences across various subjects.
• Personal development is prioritized through a well-structured PSHE curriculum.
• Career guidance is provided early and linked to pupils' interests.

In 2024–25 pupils at Longcause Community Special School attended 91.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 16.2% 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, 5.4% of pupils at Longcause Community Special 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 Longcause Community Special School had 4.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 4.5% 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 Longcause Community Special School had 118 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; 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 Longcause Community Special School received £40,364 and spent £40,686 for each of its 118 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £70,000 (£597 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).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is Longcause Community Special School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Longcause Community Special School is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was Longcause Community Special School last inspected by Ofsted?

Longcause Community Special School was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does Longcause Community Special School have?

Longcause Community Special School has 118 pupils on roll.

What age range does Longcause Community Special School cover?

Longcause Community Special School for pupils aged 4 to 16.

What are Longcause Community Special School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Longcause Community Special School?

Longcause Community Special School is at Longcause, Plympton St Maurice, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 1JB.