St Giles School

St Giles School is providing an exceptional standard of education and care, significantly improving since its last inspection. The school fosters positive relationships, ensuring that students feel safe and well-supported. With high ambitions for all pupils, including those in the sixth form, the school effectively meets diverse needs and promotes considerable academic success alongside important life skills. The calming environment, comprehensive curriculum, and enriching activities contribute to the positive learning experience, preparing pupils for their future endeavors.

Strengths

• Exceptional standard of education and care
• Strong relationships built on trust
• Well-trained staff providing high-quality support
• Meticulous curriculum tailored for all pupils
• Early reading skills development is strong
• Excellent behaviour and well-established routines
• Strong culture of mutual respect and responsibility
• Plentiful enrichment opportunities
• Responsive leadership focused on school improvement
• Effective governance supporting the educational climate

In 2024–25 pupils at St Giles School attended 90.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.0% 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 St Giles 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 St Giles School had 5.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 15.8% 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 St Giles School had 241 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 St Giles School received £30,247 and spent £31,481 for each of its 241 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,394,000 (£5,786 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 Retford · Nottinghamshire local authority: places and applications

What is St Giles School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for St Giles School is Good, from an inspection in July 2025.

When was St Giles School last inspected by Ofsted?

St Giles School was last inspected in July 2025.

How many pupils does St Giles School have?

St Giles School has 241 pupils on roll.

What age range does St Giles School cover?

St Giles School for pupils aged 3 to 18.

What are St Giles School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is St Giles School?

St Giles School is at Babworth Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7NJ.