Maple Ridge School

Maple Ridge School is a special school where all pupils have an education, health and care plan, including many with autism and severe learning difficulties. Inspectors found the school performing at the expected standard across all evaluated areas, with safeguarding requirements met. Leaders know pupils and families well, provision is highly personalised, and pupils generally achieve well from their starting points, especially in communication, reading and independence. Attendance is a particular strength, with robust systems and effective work with families. Behaviour is positive, bullying is rare, and pupils feel safe and included. The curriculum is broad and adapted, reading and communication are prioritised, and early years provides a settled start. Leadership, governance, staff development and personal development are effective, with strong pastoral care and family engagement. There are areas to improve. Some staff need more expertise to deliver the intended curriculum consistently for pupils' complex needs. Transitions between activities are not always smoothly managed, and playtime and lunchtime provision could be broadened to develop pupils' interests and social interaction. Early years staff expertise in specialist approaches such as curiosity-led learning and intensive interaction needs further development.

Strengths

• Highly personalised care and learning based on deep knowledge of pupils and families.
• Pupils generally achieve well from their starting points, particularly in communication and reading.
• Attendance is a strength, with robust oversight and effective support for vulnerable pupils.
• Pupils feel safe, behave well, and benefit from positive relationships and inclusive practice.
• The curriculum is broad, well adapted, and prioritises personal, social and emotional development.
• Reading and communication are prioritised daily, with a well-established reading approach.
• Early years provision is sequenced and responsive, with careful transition into school.
• Inclusion is effective, with strong multi-agency working and appropriate use of pupil premium.
• Leadership and governance are effective, with robust self-evaluation and swift action where needed.
• Staff wellbeing and professional development are carefully managed and prioritised.
• Personal development and pastoral care are strong, with integrated therapeutic and sensory support.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture of safeguarding.

Areas for Improvement

• Some staff lack the experience and expertise to deliver the intended curriculum consistently for pupils' complex needs.
• Transitions between learning activities are not always well managed, sometimes leading to disengagement.
• Playtime and lunchtime provision lacks sufficient organised activities to broaden interests and develop social interaction.
• Early years staff need further training in specialist approaches such as curiosity-led learning and intensive interaction.
• Consistency in embedding the school's specialist approaches across all classes requires further strengthening.

In 2024–25 pupils at Maple Ridge School attended 92.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.2% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Maple Ridge 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 Maple Ridge School had 6.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 20.3% 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 Maple Ridge School had 109 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate 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 Maple Ridge School received £24,744 and spent £24,778 for each of its 109 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £131,000 (£1,199 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 Basingstoke · Hampshire local authority: places and applications

What is Maple Ridge School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Maple Ridge School is Expected standard, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was Maple Ridge School last inspected by Ofsted?

Maple Ridge School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Maple Ridge School have?

Maple Ridge School has 109 pupils on roll.

What age range does Maple Ridge School cover?

Maple Ridge School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Maple Ridge School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Maple Ridge School?

Maple Ridge School is at Maple Crescent, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 5SX.