Dawn House School

Dawn House School is a non-maintained special school for pupils aged 5–19 with speech, language and communication needs, many of whom also have autism; all pupils have EHC plans and the school is part of Speech and Language UK. Following this graded inspection, inspectors judged the school outstanding across quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision, with safeguarding arrangements effective.

Strengths

• Highly personalised, ambitious curriculum adapted precisely to pupils’ SEND
• Expert phonics teaching and strong reading development
• Effective multidisciplinary support from speech and language therapists and occupational therapy practitioners
• Rigorous review of EHC plans and clear, regularly reviewed individual learning targets
• Excellent pupil behaviour and strong attitudes to learning
• Pupils feel happy and safe, with warm and caring staff relationships
• Strong communication and interaction skills developed across the school
• Rich personal development programme, including life skills and values education
• Wide extra-curricular offer, including clubs, residential trips, skiing and abseiling
• Meaningful pupil leadership and community-based activities
• Comprehensive and personalised careers education preparing pupils for next steps
• Exceptional leadership and strategic, supportive governance
• Strong partnership with parents and positive parental feedback
• Effective safeguarding arrangements
• Outstanding sixth-form provision with recognised qualifications and community work

In 2024–25 pupils at Dawn House School attended 85.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 35.3% 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, 4.9% of pupils at Dawn House 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 Dawn House School had 113 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 98.6%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 non-maintained special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Mansfield · Nottinghamshire local authority: places and applications

What is Dawn House School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Dawn House School is Outstanding, from an inspection in September 2025.

When was Dawn House School last inspected by Ofsted?

Dawn House School was last inspected in September 2025.

How many pupils does Dawn House School have?

Dawn House School has 113 pupils on roll.

What age range does Dawn House School cover?

Dawn House School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

Where is Dawn House School?

Dawn House School is at Helmsley Road, Rainworth, Nr Mansfield, Notts, Nottinghamshire, NG21 0DQ.