Frank Wise School

Frank Wise School continues to maintain the high standards identified in its previous inspection, being described as an exceptional environment where pupils thrive. The school promotes a nurturing atmosphere that fosters communication and engagement among students, ensuring they feel valued and included. With innovative educational practices and a strong emphasis on preparing students for future challenges, the school is executing a well-tailored curriculum that addresses the diverse needs of its pupils effectively.

Strengths

• Strong nurturing environment that fosters pupil happiness and self-esteem.
• Highly personalised and well-sequenced curriculum tailored to individual needs.
• Exceptional staff expertise in addressing physiological and sensory needs.
• Effective integration program with mainstream schools to promote inclusion.
• High expectations for behavior and self-regulation among pupils.
• Robust post-16 provision that prepares students for further education and work.
• Influential school council that actively contributes to school policies.

In 2024–25 pupils at Frank Wise School attended 89.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.7% 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 Frank Wise 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 Frank Wise School had 5.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.3% 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 Frank Wise School had 119 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; 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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Frank Wise School received £32,609 and spent £33,223 for each of its 119 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £172,000 (£1,447 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).

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• Secondary Schools

All schools in Banbury · Oxfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Frank Wise School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Frank Wise School is Outstanding, from an inspection in December 2024.

When was Frank Wise School last inspected by Ofsted?

Frank Wise School was last inspected in December 2024.

How many pupils does Frank Wise School have?

Frank Wise School has 119 pupils on roll.

What age range does Frank Wise School cover?

Frank Wise School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Frank Wise School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Frank Wise School?

Frank Wise School is at Hornbeam Close, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9RL.