Sidestrand Hall School

Sidestrand Hall School continues to perform well, maintaining its status as a good school. The inclusive environment allows pupils to settle quickly due to the dedicated support staff provide for students with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to enhance students' knowledge, confidence, and independence, preparing them for life beyond school. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive, contributing to an atmosphere where pupils feel supported and behave well.

Strengths

• Welcoming and inclusive school community
• Well-planned curriculum tailored to pupils' needs
• Strong staff support for pupils' behaviour and emotions
• High-quality careers advice and guidance for students
• Effective staff training in managing behaviour
• Good attendance rates among pupils

Areas for Improvement

• Assessment in some curriculum areas does not fully align with taught knowledge

In 2024–25 pupils at Sidestrand Hall School attended 91.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 26.4% 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, 3.1% of pupils at Sidestrand Hall 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 Sidestrand Hall School had 6.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 6.6% 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 Sidestrand Hall School had 199 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty.

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 Sidestrand Hall School received £28,397 and spent £28,497 for each of its 199 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £432,000 (£2,173 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 Cromer · Norfolk local authority: places and applications

Sidestrand Hall School is part of Trust Norfolk-Sen, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Sheringham Woodfields School Sheringham
• Hall School Norwich
• The Clare School Norwich
• Harford Manor School, Norwich Norwich
• Chapel Green School Old Buckenham

What is Sidestrand Hall School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Sidestrand Hall School is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.

When was Sidestrand Hall School last inspected by Ofsted?

Sidestrand Hall School was last inspected in January 2024.

How many pupils does Sidestrand Hall School have?

Sidestrand Hall School has 199 pupils on roll.

What age range does Sidestrand Hall School cover?

Sidestrand Hall School for pupils aged 7 to 19.

What are Sidestrand Hall School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Sidestrand Hall School?

Sidestrand Hall School is at Cromer Road, Sidestrand, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 0NH.