Garston Manor School

Garston Manor School continues to be recognized as a good institution, with a strong emphasis on providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils. Students express genuine enthusiasm for their learning, and the school's ambition is further reflected in the well-structured curriculum that caters to the diverse needs of its pupils, including those with complex communication needs. The caring approach from staff contributes significantly to the positive atmosphere, ensuring that students feel safe and included and are encouraged to achieve their personal best.

Strengths

• Pupils are eager to learn and enjoy attending school.
• The school has a supportive and caring ethos.
• The curriculum pathways are designed to meet the specific needs of pupils.
• Teachers provide personalized support to help pupils succeed.
• Pupils receive effective independent careers advice and guidance.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective with thorough training for staff.

Areas for Improvement

• Some inconsistencies in curriculum planning and sequencing.
• A significant minority of parents feel communication between home and school is lacking.

In 2024–25 pupils at Garston Manor School attended 91.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.9% 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, 11.7% of pupils at Garston Manor 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 Garston Manor School had 9.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 13.8% 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 Garston Manor School had 175 pupils, 100.0% 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; speech, language and communication needs; 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 Garston Manor School received £21,762 and spent £20,509 for each of its 175 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,129,000 (£6,450 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

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What is Garston Manor School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Garston Manor School is Good, from an inspection in December 2022.

When was Garston Manor School last inspected by Ofsted?

Garston Manor School was last inspected in December 2022.

How many pupils does Garston Manor School have?

Garston Manor School has 175 pupils on roll.

What age range does Garston Manor School cover?

Garston Manor School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Garston Manor School?

Garston Manor School is at Horseshoe Lane, Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7HR.