The Dales School
The Dales School is a community special school in Northallerton for pupils aged 2 to 19. It has 71 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for The Dales School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.
Ofsted inspection: May 2025.
| Type | Special School / Community special school |
| Age Range | 2-19 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Morton-on-Swale Morton-on-Swale Northallerton Northallerton North Yorkshire DL7 9QW |
| Phone | 01609772932 |
| Reference Number | 121771 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 71 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 60.56%
Girls: 39.44% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 33.9% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 7% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | 3 | Unknown | 3 |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 11 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 13 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 77.5% |
| Unclassified | 8.5% |
| White, Other | 4.2% |
| White & Asian | 2.8% |
| Asian, Other | 2.8% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 1.4% |
The Dales School has successfully maintained its high standards since the previous inspection, ensuring that pupils are safe, well cared for, and engaged in a personalized curriculum. With strong positive relationships between staff and pupils, the school fosters resilience and prepares students for life beyond school. Parents appreciate the care their children receive and the effective communication between home and school. The curriculum has been notably improved, supporting both therapeutic and academic needs, while ensuring that pupils are well-prepared for transition and adulthood.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 11 Mar 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 11 Mar 2025 | School inspection |
| 02 Apr 2019 | Full inspection: |
| 26 Jun 2018 | Short inspection |
| 06 Nov 2013 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Dec 2010 | Full inspection: |
| 10 Mar 2008 | Full inspection: |
| 10 Jan 2005 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Strong positive relationships between pupils and staff
- High expectations and a personalized curriculum
- Effective communication strategies enhancing learning
- Well-trained staff providing precise support
- Improved attendance management
- Wide range of enrichment opportunities
- Commitment to continuous improvement frameworks
Areas for Improvement
- Curriculum content and assessment alignment needs improvement
In 2024–25 pupils at The Dales School attended 85.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 51.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).
Sessions missed
Pupils persistently absent
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorised absence | 13.9% | 18.2% | 13.6% | 14.0% | 10.9% | 9.6% | 20.0% | 13.8% | 14.8% | 15.2% | 14.0% |
| Unauthorised absence | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 1.0% |
| Severely absent pupils | 4.3% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 8.0% | 3.6% | 0.0% | 5.7% | 0.0% | 6.8% | 4.3% | 3.8% |
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 Dales School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.
Pupils suspended at least once
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Permanent exclusions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 Dales School had 7.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).
Pupils per teacher
Teachers who left the school within a year
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils per adult | 1.8 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| Teachers who left state teaching | 18.4% | 11.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 44.2% | 28.6% | 22.2% | 16.1% | 13.9% | 0.0% | 11.1% | 28.6% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 0.0% | – |
| Teachers who took any sick leave | 75.0% | 54.5% | 60.0% | 50.0% | 50.0% | 60.0% | 55.6% | 58.3% | 63.6% | – | 90.0% | 77.8% | 55.6% | 81.8% | 77.8% | – |
| Sick days per teacher | 23.3 | 12.9 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 5.0 | 7.1 | 16.9 | 5.8 | 3.3 | – | 19.2 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 9.9 | – |
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 Dales School had 71 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).
It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder.
Pupils by main type of need
| EHC plan | |
|---|---|
| Autistic spectrum disorder | 37 |
| Severe learning difficulty | 21 |
| Profound and multiple learning difficulty | 8 |
| Speech, language and communication needs | 3 |
| Specific learning difficulty | 2 |
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 Dales School received £30,899 and spent £30,247 for each of its 71 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £153,000 (£2,157 per pupil).
Income per pupil
Spending per pupil
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue reserve | -£175,000 | -£531,000 | -£856,000 | -£649,000 | -£394,000 | -£67,000 | £107,000 | £153,000 |
| per pupil | -£3,499 | -£10,012 | -£15,023 | -£9,989 | -£5,395 | -£905 | £1,445 | £2,157 |
| In-year balance | -£268,000 | -£356,000 | -£326,000 | £207,000 | £255,000 | £327,000 | £174,000 | £46,000 |
| per pupil | -£5,356 | -£6,711 | -£5,713 | £3,185 | £3,499 | £4,417 | £2,350 | £651 |
Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).
| Name | Distance |
|
Ainderby Steeple Church of England Primary School
Station Lane, Morton-on-Swale, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9QR |
0.08 miles |
|
Romanby Primary School
The Close, Romanby, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8BL |
2.02 miles |
|
Leeming RAF Community Primary School
Gatenby, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9NQ |
2.35 miles |
|
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School - a Catholic voluntary academy
Broomfield Avenue, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8UL |
2.45 miles |
|
Broomfield School
Broomfield Avenue, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8RG |
2.48 miles |
|
Applegarth Primary School
Upwell Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8QF |
2.55 miles |
|
Leeming St. John's Church of England Primary School
Leeming Lane, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9AU |
2.89 miles |
|
Mill Hill Primary School
Crosby Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1AE |
2.89 miles |
|
Oakbridge Church of England Primary School
Alvertune Road, Northallerton, DL6 2GD |
3.04 miles |
|
Alverton Primary School
Mount Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1RB |
3.37 miles |
|
South Otterington Church of England Primary School
South Otterington, South Otterington C of E Primary School, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9HD |
3.89 miles |
|
Brompton Community Primary School
Station Road, Brompton, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 2RE |
4.01 miles |
|
Burneston Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Burneston, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2HX |
4.52 miles |
|
Bedale Church of England Primary School
Firby Road, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2AT |
4.7 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Northallerton School & Sixth Form College
Brompton Road, Northallerton, DL6 1ED |
2.8 miles |
|
Bedale High School
Fitzalan Road, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2EQ |
4.69 miles |
|
Mowbray Academy
Masham Road, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2SD |
4.96 miles |
All schools in Northallerton · North Yorkshire local authority: places and applications
What is The Dales School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for The Dales School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.
When was The Dales School last inspected by Ofsted?
The Dales School was last inspected in May 2025.
How many pupils does The Dales School have?
The Dales School has 71 pupils on roll.
What age range does The Dales School cover?
The Dales School for pupils aged 2 to 19.
Where is The Dales School?
The Dales School is at Morton-on-Swale, Morton-on-Swale, Northallerton, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9QW.