The Clare School

The Clare School continues to excel in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for its pupils with complex care needs. The school successfully maintains the high standards achieved during its previous inspection and fosters a strong culture of respect and well-being. Each pupil benefits from a highly personalized curriculum tailored to their individual requirements, ensuring significant progress in their educational journey. The commitment to enhancing communication skills is a notable strength, as staff adeptly support pupils in expressing themselves through various means.

Strengths

• Exceptional environment that prioritizes pupil welfare and happiness.
• Highly skilled and compassionate staff provide tailored care and education.
• Curriculum is highly personalized, meeting each pupil's complex needs effectively.
• Exceptional communication support enables pupils to express themselves confidently.
• Strong focus on developing pupils' independence and preparation for their futures.
• Rich extracurricular opportunities that enhance personal development and create lasting memories.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Clare School attended 85.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 49.0% 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 Clare 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 Clare School had 4.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.7% 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 The Clare School had 131 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 Clare School received £41,770 and spent £40,474 for each of its 131 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £834,000 (£6,370 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 Norwich · Norfolk local authority: places and applications

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

• Harford Manor School, Norwich Norwich
• Hall School Norwich
• Chapel Green School Old Buckenham
• Sidestrand Hall School Cromer
• Sheringham Woodfields School Sheringham

What is The Clare School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Clare School is Outstanding, from an inspection in February 2025.

When was The Clare School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Clare School was last inspected in February 2025.

How many pupils does The Clare School have?

The Clare School has 131 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Clare School cover?

The Clare School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is The Clare School?

The Clare School is at South Park Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7AU.