Colnbrook School

Colnbrook School continues to demonstrate outstanding performance, maintaining its status as an exemplary institution since its last inspection. The school creates a warm and supportive environment where pupils flourishing through strong relationships and an engaging curriculum. The focus on personal, social, health, and economic education (PSHE) enhances pupils' learning experiences and emotional well-being, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future educational journeys. Exceptional support is provided for pupils with special educational needs, helping them to thrive academically and socially.

Strengths

• Strong positive relationships between staff and pupils.
• Exceptional support for pupils with special educational needs.
• Engaging PSHE curriculum that enriches learning experiences.
• Effective monitoring of pupils' learning and development.
• Well-structured curriculum that aligns with pupils' needs.
• Highly effective behaviour management strategies.

In 2024–25 pupils at Colnbrook School attended 90.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 38.6% 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, 0.8% of pupils at Colnbrook 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 Colnbrook School had 6.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 31.7% 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 Colnbrook School had 130 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe 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 Colnbrook School received £29,617 and spent £29,778 for each of its 130 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £492,000 (£3,786 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 Colnbrook School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Colnbrook School is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2023.

When was Colnbrook School last inspected by Ofsted?

Colnbrook School was last inspected in June 2023.

How many pupils does Colnbrook School have?

Colnbrook School has 130 pupils on roll.

What age range does Colnbrook School cover?

Colnbrook School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Colnbrook School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Colnbrook School?

Colnbrook School is at Hayling Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD19 7UY.