Lonsdale School
Lonsdale School is a community special school in Stevenage for pupils aged 3 to 18. It has 128 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Lonsdale School is Good, from an inspection in March 2025.
Ofsted inspection: March 2025.
| Type | Special School / Community special school |
| Age Range | 3-18 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Brittain Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 8UT |
| Phone | 01438726999 |
| Reference Number | 117679 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 128 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 60.94%
Girls: 39.06% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 34.9% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 4.7% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 | Unknown | 3 |
| 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| 8 | 11 | 9 | 20 |
| 9 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| 10 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 11 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| 12 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| 13 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 67.2% |
| Indian | 4.7% |
| African | 4.7% |
| Mixed, Other | 3.9% |
| White, Other | 3.1% |
| White & Asian | 2.3% |
| Irish | 2.3% |
| Unclassified | 1.6% |
| White & Black (African) | 1.6% |
| Pakistani | 1.6% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 0.8% |
| Caribbean | 0.8% |
| Asian, Other | 0.8% |
Lonsdale School has demonstrated effective actions to maintain its previously identified standards, fostering a thriving and engaged learning environment for its pupils. The school caters specifically to students with special educational needs and disabilities, providing a supportive atmosphere where pupils develop communication skills and exhibit determination in their learning. There is a strong sense of community, as pupils are encouraged to support one another and engage in both academic and extracurricular activities. The staff and leadership team have adapted the curriculum effectively to meet ambitious educational goals, notably elevating the approach to reading instruction.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 28 Jan 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 28 Jan 2025 | School inspection |
| 05 Nov 2019 | School inspection |
| 26 Jan 2016 | Full inspection: |
| 29 Sep 2015 | Monitoring visit |
| 28 Apr 2015 | Monitoring visit |
| 22 Jan 2015 | Monitoring visit |
| 22 Oct 2014 | Full inspection: |
| 07 Dec 2011 | Full inspection: |
| 06 May 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 03 May 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 12 Jun 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Pupils develop effective communication strategies and engage in thoughtful discussions.
- The curriculum is well designed to support pupil knowledge progression.
- Strong emphasis on understanding and managing emotions among pupils.
- Students receive ample guidance for career aspirations and adult life preparation.
- Parents and staff express high satisfaction with the school's learning environment.
Areas for Improvement
- Some curriculum areas lack clear guidance for teachers, impacting knowledge retention.
Destinations after GCSE's
| Staying in Education | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > Further Education | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > School Sixth Form | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > Sixth Form College | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > Other Education | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Apprenticeships | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Employment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Not in education or employment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Unknown | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
In 2024–25 pupils at Lonsdale School attended 84.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 53.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).
Sessions missed
Pupils persistently absent
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorised absence | 11.0% | 10.5% | 13.4% | 13.5% | 15.0% | 10.8% | 16.0% | 15.6% | 12.5% | 14.2% | 14.6% |
| Unauthorised absence | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Severely absent pupils | 3.2% | 0.0% | 2.4% | 0.0% | 3.6% | 1.7% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 3.3% | 4.5% | 5.9% |
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 Lonsdale School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.
Pupils suspended at least once
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Permanent exclusions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 Lonsdale School had 6.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.3% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).
Pupils per teacher
Teachers who left the school within a year
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils per adult | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| Teachers who left state teaching | 17.9% | 4.0% | 2.8% | 21.5% | 23.1% | 17.4% | 13.1% | 3.0% | 11.8% | 0.0% | 13.8% | 5.8% | 11.3% | 10.8% | 0.0% | – |
| Teachers who took any sick leave | 47.1% | 35.0% | 40.0% | 61.9% | 47.4% | 68.2% | 55.0% | 35.0% | 47.6% | – | 52.4% | 33.3% | 76.9% | 79.2% | 72.7% | – |
| Sick days per teacher | 2.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | – | 2.7 | 2.1 | 10.0 | 7.4 | 4.0 | – |
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 Lonsdale School had 128 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).
It says it provides for: physical disability.
Pupils by main type of need
| EHC plan | |
|---|---|
| Physical disability | 119 |
| Specific learning difficulty | 5 |
| Moderate learning difficulty | 1 |
| Profound and multiple learning difficulty | 1 |
| Speech, language and communication needs | 1 |
| Vision impairment | 1 |
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 Lonsdale School received £34,758 and spent £32,715 for each of its 128 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £535,000 (£4,183 per pupil).
Income per pupil
Spending per pupil
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue reserve | £400,000 | £459,000 | £562,000 | £572,000 | £335,000 | £60,000 | £274,000 | £535,000 |
| per pupil | £3,959 | £4,313 | £5,251 | £5,392 | £2,990 | £535 | £2,148 | £4,183 |
| In-year balance | £86,000 | £59,000 | £103,000 | £10,000 | -£237,000 | -£275,000 | £214,000 | £261,000 |
| per pupil | £848 | £558 | £958 | £92 | -£2,114 | -£2,468 | £1,680 | £2,043 |
Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).
| Name | Distance |
|
Bedwell Primary School
Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1NJ |
0.24 miles |
|
Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School
Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1NJ |
0.31 miles |
|
Camps Hill Primary School
Chells Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 0LT |
0.41 miles |
|
St Nicholas CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery
Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 0PZ |
0.53 miles |
|
Lodge Farm Primary School
Mobbsbury Way, Chells, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 0HP |
0.54 miles |
|
Ashtree Primary Academy
Chertsey Rise, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9JQ |
0.63 miles |
|
Moss Bury Primary School and Nursery
Webb Rise, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 5PA |
0.66 miles |
|
Larwood School
Larwood Drive, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 5BZ |
0.74 miles |
|
Peartree Spring Primary School
Hydean Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9GG |
0.76 miles |
|
Peartree Way Nursery School
Peartree Way, Stevenage, SG2 9EA |
0.77 miles |
|
Broom Barns Primary School
Homestead Moat, Bedwell, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1UE |
0.79 miles |
|
Featherstone Wood Primary School
Featherston Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9PP |
0.82 miles |
|
Fairlands Primary School
Pound Avenue, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3JA |
1.07 miles |
|
Martins Wood Primary School
Mildmay Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 5RT |
1.12 miles |
|
Trotts Hill Primary and Nursery School
Wisden Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 5JD |
1.18 miles |
|
Roebuck Academy
St Margarets, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8RG |
1.2 miles |
|
Giles Junior School
Durham Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4JQ |
1.27 miles |
|
The Giles Infant and Nursery School
Durham Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4JQ |
1.27 miles |
|
Letchmore Infants' and Nursery School
Letchmore Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3PS |
1.29 miles |
|
Almond Hill Junior School
Almonds Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3RP |
1.34 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Marriotts School
Brittain Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8UT |
0 miles |
|
The Nobel School
Mobbsbury Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 0HS |
0.64 miles |
|
Barnwell School
Barnwell, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9SW |
0.96 miles |
|
Greenside School
Shephall Green, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9XS |
0.98 miles |
|
The Valley School
Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9BN |
1.05 miles |
|
North Hertfordshire College
Monkswood Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1LA |
1.1 miles |
|
Barclay Academy
Walkern Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3RB |
1.41 miles |
|
The Thomas Alleyne Academy
High Street, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3BE |
1.56 miles |
|
The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School
Hitchin Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AE |
1.94 miles |
|
East Hall School
The Calf House, East Hall Farm, St Pauls Walden, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 8DL |
3.6 miles |
|
Kingshott School
Stevenage Road, Hitchin, SG4 7JX |
4.23 miles |
|
St Christopher School
Barrington Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3JZ |
4.95 miles |
All schools in Stevenage · Hertfordshire local authority: places and applications
What is Lonsdale School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Lonsdale School is Good, from an inspection in March 2025.
When was Lonsdale School last inspected by Ofsted?
Lonsdale School was last inspected in March 2025.
How many pupils does Lonsdale School have?
Lonsdale School has 128 pupils on roll.
What age range does Lonsdale School cover?
Lonsdale School for pupils aged 3 to 18.
Where is Lonsdale School?
Lonsdale School is at Brittain Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8UT.