Broadfield Specialist School

Broadfield Specialist School continues to demonstrate outstanding performance in providing education and support for its students, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils thrive in an environment marked by high expectations and a tailored curriculum that fosters their academic, social, and emotional development. With exceptional care from staff, students feel valued and are well-prepared for their future educational and life endeavors. The school is committed to enhancing the personal and social skills of pupils, providing robust support and resources that ensure every child's needs are met.

Strengths

• Pupils develop resilience and independence.
• The curriculum is highly ambitious and well-structured.
• Staff have detailed knowledge of the pupils' needs.
• Pupils achieve remarkably well across a broad range of subjects.
• There is a strong emphasis on reading, language, and communication skills.
• Pupils receive focused support tailored to their individual needs.
• The school fosters a positive attitude towards learning.
• Pupils are well prepared for adulthood with a comprehensive careers program.

In 2024–25 pupils at Broadfield Specialist School attended 90.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 31.6% 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 Broadfield Specialist 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 Broadfield Specialist School had 6.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 2.5% 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 Broadfield Specialist School had 267 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 Broadfield Specialist School received £27,497 and spent £27,621 for each of its 267 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £421,000 (£1,578 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 Burnley · Lancashire local authority: places and applications

What is Broadfield Specialist School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Broadfield Specialist School is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Broadfield Specialist School last inspected by Ofsted?

Broadfield Specialist School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Broadfield Specialist School have?

Broadfield Specialist School has 267 pupils on roll.

What age range does Broadfield Specialist School cover?

Broadfield Specialist School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Broadfield Specialist School?

Broadfield Specialist School is at Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 5BT.