The Cedar School

The Cedar School in Southampton continues to perform well as a good school, excelling in creating a supportive and joyous learning environment for its pupils. Strong relationships among staff and students contribute significantly to a positive atmosphere where all feel safe and valued. The curriculum is tailored to meet the diverse needs of pupils with various disabilities, fostering personal growth and academic achievement. Despite being a special school catering to pupils with complex needs, the school's dedicated approach ensures a rich educational experience bolstered by regular professional development for staff.

Strengths

• Pupils develop high levels of confidence and independence.
• Exceptional behavior amongst pupils is consistently observed.
• Individualized teaching effectively integrates care and health into learning.
• A diverse and motivating curriculum is tailored to meet pupils' needs.
• Strong community connections enhance students' learning opportunities.
• Extensive range of lunchtime clubs broadens pupils' experiences.

Areas for Improvement

• The new assessment system needs further implementation for clarity on pupil progress.
• Limited community work experience placements affect preparation for future employment.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Cedar School attended 86.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 42.4% 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 The Cedar 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 The Cedar School had 5.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% 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 The Cedar School had 86 pupils, 95.3% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 The Cedar School received £34,254 and spent £33,634 for each of its 86 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £141,000 (£1,635 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 The Cedar School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Cedar School is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.

When was The Cedar School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Cedar School was last inspected in March 2024.

How many pupils does The Cedar School have?

The Cedar School has 86 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Cedar School cover?

The Cedar School for pupils aged 2 to 16.

What are The Cedar School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Cedar School?

The Cedar School is at Redbridge Lane, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 0XN.