Woodcroft School
Woodcroft School is an independent special school in Loughton for pupils aged 5 to 13. It has 41 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Woodcroft School is Expected standard, from an inspection in April 2026.
Ofsted inspection: April 2026.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 5-13 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Whitakers Way Baldwins Hill Loughton Essex IG10 1SQ |
| Reference Number | 115425 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 41 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 80.49%
Girls: 19.51% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Woodcroft School is an independent special school that effectively supports pupils with moderate and severe learning difficulties, autism, and communication needs. The school's safeguarding standards are met, creating a safe and open environment where pupils feel valued. Leaders have implemented strong attendance strategies that collaborate with families and agencies, leading to notable improvements, particularly for pupils with previous attendance challenges. The comprehensive personal development program tailored to pupils' needs enables them to foster essential life skills, independence, and community participation, with minimal bullying reported. The school operates within an effective leadership framework that promotes continuous improvement and prioritizes the well-being of both students and staff.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Expected standard |
| > Leadership & Governance | Expected standard |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Strong standard |
| > Achievement | Expected standard |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Strong standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Expected standard |
| > Inclusion | Strong standard |
| Last Report Date | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 10 Feb 2026 | Standard inspection |
| 21 Mar 2023 | Standard inspection |
| 15 Mar 2022 | Standard inspection |
| 25 Jun 2019 | Standard inspection |
| 22 Jun 2016 | Standard inspection |
| 20 Mar 2012 | Standard inspection |
| 10 Mar 2009 | Light touch inspection |
| 08 May 2006 | Standard inspection |
| 03 Jul 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Strong attendance policies leading to improved pupil participation.
- Effective and consistent behavior management strategies.
- Precise identification of pupils' needs and tailored support.
- Robust personal development program enhancing life skills.
- Strong engagement from parents and collaboration with external professionals.
- Effective use of pupil premium funding to support disadvantaged students.
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent identification of gaps in pupils' basic knowledge by staff.
- Need for improved planning to address identified gaps in pupils' learning.
In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Woodcroft School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).
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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.
| Name | Distance |
|
Staples Road Primary School
Staples Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1HR |
0.73 miles |
|
Hereward Primary School
Colebrook Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 2HR |
0.9 miles |
|
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School
Burney Drive, Loughton, Essex, IG10 2DY |
0.98 miles |
|
Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery
The Broadway, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3SR |
1.13 miles |
|
The Alderton Junior School
Alderton Hall Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3HE |
1.15 miles |
|
The Alderton Infant School and Nursery
Alderton Hall Lane, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3HE |
1.18 miles |
|
Oaklands School
6/8 Albion Hill, Loughton, IG10 4RA |
1.53 miles |
|
White Bridge Primary School
Greensted Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3DR |
1.73 miles |
|
Theydon Bois Primary School
Orchard Drive, Theydon Bois, Epping, Essex, CM16 7DH |
1.79 miles |
|
High Beech CofE Primary School
Mott Street, High Beech, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4AP |
1.83 miles |
|
Upshire Primary Foundation School
Upshire Road, Upshire, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3PX |
2.42 miles |
|
Lambourne Primary School
Hoe Lane, Abridge, Romford, Essex, RM4 1AU |
2.43 miles |
|
Buckhurst Hill Community Primary School
Lower Queen's Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 6DS |
2.48 miles |
|
St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Buckhurst Hill
High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5RX |
2.5 miles |
|
Chigwell Primary Academy
Mandir Lane, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6ED |
2.52 miles |
|
Leverton Primary School
Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3BE |
2.54 miles |
|
Daiglen School
|
2.56 miles |
|
Loyola Preparatory School
103 Palmerston Road, BUCKHURST HILL, IG9 5NH |
2.56 miles |
|
Hillhouse CofE Primary School
Ninefields Estate, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3EL |
2.6 miles |
|
Ivy Chimneys Primary School
Ivy Chimneys Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 4EP |
2.68 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Oak View School
Whitehills Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1TS |
0.73 miles |
|
Davenant Foundation School
Chester Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 2LD |
0.88 miles |
|
Debden Park High School
Willingale Road, Debden, Loughton, Essex, IG10 2BQ |
1.14 miles |
|
Roding Valley High School
Alderton Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3JA |
1.2 miles |
|
Chigwell School
High Road, Chigwell, IG7 6QF |
2.49 miles |
|
Coopersale Hall School
Flux's Lane, Epping, CM16 7PE |
2.81 miles |
|
Epping St John's Church of England School
Bury Lane, Epping, Essex, CM16 5JB |
2.95 miles |
|
King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy
Broomstick Hall Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1LF |
2.96 miles |
|
Luxborough Court School
Luxborough Lane, Chigwell, Essex, Essex, IG7 5AA |
2.97 miles |
|
The Tower School
33 High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4BA |
3.07 miles |
|
Normanhurst School
68-74 Station Road, London, E4 7BA |
3.11 miles |
|
Bancroft's School
611-627 High Road, Woodford Green, IG8 0RF |
3.22 miles |
|
Heathcote School & Science College
Normanton Park, Chingford, London, E4 6ES |
3.24 miles |
|
West Hatch High School
High Road, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 5BT |
3.27 miles |
|
Open Box Education Centre
St. John's Road, Epping, Essex, Essex, CM16 5DN |
3.33 miles |
|
St John's RC School (Essex)
Turpins Lane, Woodford Bridge, Essex, IG8 8AX |
3.5 miles |
|
Trinity Catholic High School
Mornington Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 0TP |
3.52 miles |
|
Chingford Foundation School
Nevin Drive, Chingford, London, E4 7LT |
3.71 miles |
|
Freshsteps Independent school
Innova House, Kenetic Crescent, Enfield, Brimsdown, EN3 7XH |
3.86 miles |
|
Oasis Academy Enfield
Kinetic Crescent, Innova Park, Enfield, Middlesex, EN3 7XH |
3.88 miles |
All schools in Loughton · Essex local authority: places and applications
What is Woodcroft School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Woodcroft School is Expected standard, from an inspection in April 2026.
When was Woodcroft School last inspected by Ofsted?
Woodcroft School was last inspected in April 2026.
How many pupils does Woodcroft School have?
Woodcroft School has 41 pupils on roll.
What age range does Woodcroft School cover?
Woodcroft School for pupils aged 5 to 13.
Where is Woodcroft School?
Woodcroft School is at Whitakers Way, Baldwins Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1SQ.