Ifield School

Ifield School continues to demonstrate outstanding performance, with strong leadership fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for all students. The school excels in providing a broad and enriching curriculum tailored to meet the diverse needs of its pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The dedication of staff to ensure that every pupil achieves their individual targets is evident, contributing to high levels of enthusiasm and resilience among students. Additionally, the school's focus on personal development, enriched learning experiences, and supportive relationships aid in promoting positive outcomes for all learners.

Strengths

• Strong leadership committed to high standards for pupils.
• Nurturing and supportive staff facilitating engagement.
• Enriching curriculum designed to meet individual needs.
• Effective collaboration between teachers, support staff, and therapy teams.
• Notable improvements and strong progress in early reading and communication skills.
• Robust personal development and tailored relationships education.
• Well-planned careers programme enhancing pupils' aspirations.

In 2024–25 pupils at Ifield School attended 90.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 33.2% 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 Ifield 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 Ifield School had 7.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 30.8% 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 Ifield School had 282 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; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; physical disability; 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 Ifield School received £30,696 and spent £31,323 for each of its 282 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £655,000 (£2,324 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 Gravesend · Kent local authority: places and applications

Ifield School is part of Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (Ksent), which runs 11 schools. The nearest others:

• Five Acre Wood School Maidstone
• Nexus Foundation Special School Tonbridge
• Broomhill Bank School Tunbridge Wells
• The Orchard School Canterbury
• The Beacon Folkestone Folkestone
• Elms School Dover
• Laleham Gap School Ramsgate
• St Anthony's School Margate
• Foreland Fields School Ramsgate
• Stone Bay School Broadstairs

What is Ifield School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Ifield School is Outstanding, from an inspection in December 2023.

When was Ifield School last inspected by Ofsted?

Ifield School was last inspected in December 2023.

How many pupils does Ifield School have?

Ifield School has 282 pupils on roll.

What age range does Ifield School cover?

Ifield School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

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

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

Where is Ifield School?

Ifield School is at Cedar Avenue, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5JT.