The Coppice School

The Coppice School is performing well, continuing to maintain its status as a good school with a strong emphasis on creating a warm and supportive environment for its pupils who all have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school fosters a family atmosphere, which aids in the pupils' emotional and social development. Staff are highly qualified and provide exceptional support to ensure that students achieve in line with their abilities. The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, allowing for effective learning experiences across multiple subjects, although some areas require refinement in assessment strategies to further bolster pupil progress.

Strengths

• Warm and caring school environment
• High expectations for pupil achievement
• Exceptional support from highly trained staff
• Strong subject knowledge among teachers
• Effective communication and early reading development
• Robust extracurricular activities
• Well-designed programs for independence in the sixth form
• Positive behavior and respectful attitudes from pupils
• Strong culture and support for staff
• Governance that effectively supports and challenges school leaders

Areas for Improvement

• Assessment strategies in a few subjects are underdeveloped, leading to gaps in pupils' knowledge

In 2024–25 pupils at The Coppice School attended 87.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.2% 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 The Coppice 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 The Coppice School had 6.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 15.3% 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 The Coppice School had 64 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 The Coppice School received £35,995 and spent £38,376 for each of its 64 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £76,000 (£1,202 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 Preston · Lancashire local authority: places and applications

What is The Coppice School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Coppice School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was The Coppice School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Coppice School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does The Coppice School have?

The Coppice School has 64 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Coppice School cover?

The Coppice School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are The Coppice School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Coppice School?

The Coppice School is at Ash Grove, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 6GY.