Great Arley School

Great Arley School continues to be a good school, providing a supportive and nurturing environment for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school has a strong focus on personal development, with pupils demonstrating pride in their school and actively engaging in improving their surroundings. The ambitious curriculum is designed to prepare students for adulthood, aiding in their transitions to local colleges and vocational courses. Although there are significant strengths, particularly in the care and support provided to students, there is a need for improvement in addressing gaps in phonics knowledge among some pupils, which could affect their reading development.

Strengths

• Pupils are kind, polite, and proud ambassadors for their school.
• Strong relationships between staff and pupils contribute to a nurturing environment.
• The school has a well-structured and ambitious curriculum.
• Pupils benefit from a diverse range of extracurricular activities.
• Effective support for pupils with complex needs, leading to improved behaviour.
• Good emphasis on reading, language, and communication skills.

Areas for Improvement

• Slow to address gaps in phonics knowledge for some pupils.

In 2024–25 pupils at Great Arley School attended 94.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 12.3% 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, 3.7% of pupils at Great Arley 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 Great Arley School had 6.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.7% 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 Great Arley School had 99 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; hearing impairment; vision impairment; 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 Great Arley School received £29,677 and spent £30,131 for each of its 99 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £211,000 (£2,136 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 Great Arley School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Great Arley School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Great Arley School last inspected by Ofsted?

Great Arley School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Great Arley School have?

Great Arley School has 99 pupils on roll.

What age range does Great Arley School cover?

Great Arley School for pupils aged 4 to 16.

Where is Great Arley School?

Great Arley School is at Holly Road, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 4HH.