Falconer School

Falconer School provides crucial support for pupils facing significant challenges in their education, aiming to enhance their life chances. While the school's overall leadership and commitment to improvement are notable, aspects of its work appear to have declined since the last inspection, warranting a closer review in the upcoming graded inspection. The curriculum and support mechanisms have begun to show progress, but implementation is still in the early stages, leading to instances where pupils are disengaged due to gaps in their knowledge not being addressed in a timely manner.

Strengths

• The school has built an ambitious curriculum to help pupils secure necessary qualifications.
• Pupils are provided with well-resourced vocational programmes which boost their confidence and independence.
• Improvements in behaviour management have led to a reduction in suspensions.
• Pupils are developing positive relationships with trusted adults and mentors.
• Significant emphasis is placed on improving pupils’ social interaction and communication skills.

Areas for Improvement

• The work set for pupils is not consistently ambitious or focused on filling specific gaps in knowledge.
• Phonics support is not being delivered consistently, affecting pupils' reading development.
• Attendance rates remain a concern, affecting pupils' learning opportunities.
• Resource limitations are hindering the school's strategic goals.

In 2024–25 pupils at Falconer School attended 56.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 82.9% 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, 56.1% of pupils at Falconer School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 3 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 Falconer School had 2.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 25.2% 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 Falconer School had 54 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Falconer School received £60,020 and spent £66,798 for each of its 54 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £1,444,000 (-£26,744 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 Bushey · Hertfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Falconer School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Falconer School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was Falconer School last inspected by Ofsted?

Falconer School was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does Falconer School have?

Falconer School has 54 pupils on roll.

What age range does Falconer School cover?

Falconer School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Falconer School's GCSE results?

In 2019 its average Attainment 8 score was 11.9, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Falconer School?

Falconer School is at Falconer Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 3AT.