Mulberry Bush School

Mulberry Bush School is a small non-maintained special school for pupils aged 5 to 12 with social, emotional and mental health needs, all of whom have education, health and care plans. Many pupils have experienced childhood trauma, and the school's specialist approach helps them feel safe, build trusting relationships and become ready to learn. This September 2024 graded inspection found the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all outstanding; safeguarding arrangements are effective. Since September 2024, graded inspections no longer result in an overall effectiveness grade. Pupils thrive in a calm, purposeful community where staff have exceptionally strong specialist knowledge and use it to adapt a highly ambitious, broad curriculum precisely to individual needs. Therapeutic activities are a crucial part of the school day, reading support is highly effective, and pupils achieve exceptionally well. Behaviour is excellent, personal development is woven through all areas of school life, and pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain. Parents, carers, staff and pupils are listened to, staff are proud to work there, and school and charity leaders work closely together around a shared moral purpose. No significant weaknesses or areas for improvement were identified in the report. The school's holistic curriculum, expert staff, strong relationships and effective safeguarding combine to provide an excellent package of support that prepares pupils extremely well to learn alongside others and live successfully in a family home.

Strengths

• Highly ambitious and broad curriculum tailored precisely to pupils' individual needs and education, health and care plan outcomes.
• Therapeutic activities, including speech and language, music and drama therapy, are integral and accurately matched to pupils' needs.
• Pupils achieve exceptionally well through a holistic curriculum that has a profoundly positive impact on well-being and learning.
• Highly effective reading support helps pupils who have fallen behind become capable and confident readers.
• Staff have exceedingly strong curriculum knowledge and specialist training in pupils' complex experiences and social, emotional and mental health needs.
• A calm and purposeful school environment where pupils behave extremely well and lessons are rarely disrupted.
• Personal development is intricately woven through all areas of school life and prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain.
• The careers approach responds to individual needs and aspirations, teaching pupils about future jobs and employment skills.
• Pupils feel valued and listened to, and play an integral part in the school community through the school council and community meetings.
• Expert staff build trusting and positive relationships that help pupils feel safe and ready to learn.
• The school is a genuine community where parents', carers', staff and pupils' views are listened to and acted upon.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Mulberry Bush 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 Mulberry Bush School had 24 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.

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 Witney · Oxfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Mulberry Bush School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Mulberry Bush School is Outstanding, from an inspection in October 2024.

When was Mulberry Bush School last inspected by Ofsted?

Mulberry Bush School was last inspected in October 2024.

How many pupils does Mulberry Bush School have?

Mulberry Bush School has 24 pupils on roll.

What age range does Mulberry Bush School cover?

Mulberry Bush School for pupils aged 5 to 12.

Where is Mulberry Bush School?

Mulberry Bush School is at Abingdon Road, Standlake, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7RW.