Elms School

Elms School continues to be regarded as a good school, with a positive and purposeful atmosphere established by its leaders and staff. The school supports a range of pupils, including those with complex behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties. It is noted for its broad curriculum which fosters clear progression in learning and prepares students well for future educational opportunities. However, some pupils, particularly older ones, struggle with reading and behavior management issues, creating challenges in their personal development and learning journey.

Strengths

• Strong and trusting relationships between staff and pupils.
• Well-designed broad curriculum providing clear progression.
• Effective continuous assessment enabling tailored teaching.
• Engaging activities enhancing learning and enjoyment.
• Knowledgeable and confident teaching of phonics and reading.
• Strong teamwork among staff contributing to school morale.

Areas for Improvement

• Older pupils are not making sufficient progress in reading.
• Inconsistencies in support for pupils' behavior and well-being.

In 2024–25 pupils at Elms School attended 77.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 66.2% 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, 54.3% of pupils at Elms School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Elms School had 5.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 32.3% 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 Elms School had 131 pupils, 99.2% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; hearing impairment; vision impairment; 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 Elms School received £42,504 and spent £42,120 for each of its 131 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £555,000 (£4,237 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 Dover · Kent local authority: places and applications

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

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

What is Elms School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Elms School is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

When was Elms School last inspected by Ofsted?

Elms School was last inspected in May 2023.

How many pupils does Elms School have?

Elms School has 131 pupils on roll.

What age range does Elms School cover?

Elms School for pupils aged 5 to 16.

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

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

Where is Elms School?

Elms School is at Elms Vale Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 9PS.