Southall School
Southall School is a community special school in Telford for pupils aged 11 to 16. It has 210 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Southall School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.
Ofsted inspection: May 2025.
| Type | Special School / Community special school |
| Age Range | 11-16 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Off Rowan Avenue Dawley Telford Shropshire TF4 3PX |
| Phone | 01952387600 |
| Reference Number | 123631 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 210 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 64.76%
Girls: 35.24% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 54.3% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 7.1% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 32 | 17 | 49 |
| 8 | 33 | 17 | 50 |
| 9 | 22 | 17 | 39 |
| 10 | 28 | 9 | 37 |
| 11 | 21 | 14 | 35 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 77.6% |
| Pakistani | 6.7% |
| African | 3.3% |
| White, Other | 2.4% |
| White & Asian | 1.4% |
| White & Black (African) | 1.4% |
| Mixed, Other | 1.4% |
| Asian, Other | 1.4% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 1% |
| Indian | 1% |
| Caribbean | 1% |
| Chinese | 0.5% |
| Unclassified | 0.5% |
Southall School has effectively maintained its good standards since its last inspection, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school fosters a positive learning environment where pupils feel cared for and are eager to engage in their education. With a well-developed curriculum and a dedicated staff team, Southall School excels in tailoring its educational approaches to meet individual pupil needs, ensuring that barriers to learning are addressed collaboratively with families and local schools.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 25 Mar 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 25 Mar 2025 | School inspection |
| 09 Jul 2019 | Full inspection: |
| 02 Oct 2018 | Short inspection |
| 25 Feb 2014 | Full inspection: |
| 13 Mar 2012 | Full inspection: |
| 01 Dec 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 29 Jun 2009 | Monitoring visit |
| 21 Jan 2009 | Monitoring visit |
| 24 Sep 2008 | Monitoring visit |
| 27 Feb 2008 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Mar 2005 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Pupils are happy and eager to learn.
- The school provides a nurturing and supportive environment.
- Staff adapt learning experiences effectively to meet individual needs.
- Curriculum pathways ensure strong learning alongside peers.
- Exceptional attendance supported by effective pastoral care.
- High priority given to reading and phonics, successfully adapted for pupils.
- Strong partnerships with families and local services.
- Pupils develop confidence through outdoor learning and extra-curricular activities.
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent checking of pupil understanding during lessons.
Destinations after GCSE's
| Staying in Education | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > Further Education | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > School Sixth Form | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > Sixth Form College | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| > Other Education | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Apprenticeships | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Employment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Not in education or employment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| Unknown | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
In 2024–25 pupils at Southall School attended 92.9% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 19.8% 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 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 7.1% | 6.0% | 6.4% | 6.0% | 17.7% | 7.8% | 5.4% | 5.6% | 5.9% |
| Unauthorised absence | 1.0% | 0.8% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 1.0% | 1.1% | 1.8% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Severely absent pupils | 1.4% | 0.7% | 4.0% | 1.3% | 1.9% | 2.5% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 0.5% | 1.9% |
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 Southall 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 | 6.3 | 9.5 | 19.5 | 21.6 | 18.4 | 28.6 | 29.7 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 7.8 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.0 |
| Permanent exclusions | 0 | 2 | 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 Southall School had 7.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).
Pupils per teacher
Teachers who left the school within a year
| 2011 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils per adult | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
| Teachers who left state teaching | 22.7% | 10.8% | 5.4% | 5.6% | 20.6% | 0.0% | 6.5% | 16.3% | 0.0% | 10.4% | 0.0% | 14.6% | 0.0% | 11.0% | – |
| Teachers who took any sick leave | – | 0.0% | 61.9% | 68.2% | 76.2% | 77.3% | 76.0% | 68.0% | – | 70.0% | 89.3% | 61.3% | 69.0% | 72.2% | – |
| Sick days per teacher | – | 0.0 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 7.2 | 10.8 | 10.0 | – | 4.8 | 10.3 | 8.2 | 17.2 | 7.9 | – |
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 Southall School had 210 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).
It says it provides for: speech, language and communication needs.
Pupils by main type of need
| EHC plan | |
|---|---|
| Moderate learning difficulty | 122 |
| Autistic spectrum disorder | 34 |
| Speech, language and communication needs | 21 |
| Severe learning difficulty | 17 |
| Social, emotional and mental health | 6 |
| Physical disability | 3 |
| Specific learning difficulty | 3 |
| Profound and multiple learning difficulty | 2 |
| Hearing impairment | 1 |
| Other difficulty or disability | 1 |
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 Southall School received £25,845 and spent £23,831 for each of its 210 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £408,000 (£1,943 per pupil).
Income per pupil
Spending per pupil
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue reserve | £68,000 | -£72,000 | £158,000 | £325,000 | £198,000 | -£36,000 | -£15,000 | £408,000 |
| per pupil | £431 | -£450 | £866 | £1,806 | £1,084 | -£188 | -£70 | £1,943 |
| In-year balance | -£33,000 | -£140,000 | £230,000 | £167,000 | -£127,000 | -£234,000 | £21,000 | £423,000 |
| per pupil | -£210 | -£876 | £1,259 | £926 | -£693 | -£1,221 | £102 | £2,013 |
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 |
|
Aqueduct Primary Academy
Castlefields Way, Aqueduct, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3RP |
0.5 miles |
|
Captain Webb Primary School
Webb Crescent, Pool Hill, Captain Webb Cp School, Webb Crescent, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3DU |
0.51 miles |
|
Dawley Church of England Primary Academy
Doseley Road North, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3AL |
0.71 miles |
|
Windmill Primary School
Beaconsfield, Brookside, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 1LG |
0.77 miles |
|
Randlay Primary School
Randlay, Local Centre, Randlay Avenue, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 2LR |
1.01 miles |
|
Grange Park Primary School
Grange Avenue, Stirchley, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 1ET |
1.03 miles |
|
Ladygrove Primary School
Old Office Road, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 2LF |
1.05 miles |
|
Old Park Primary School
Brunel Road, Malinslee, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 2BF |
1.11 miles |
|
Holmer Lake Primary School
Brookside, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 1LD |
1.12 miles |
|
The Seeds School
Unit 6, The Bridges Business Park, Horsehay, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3EE |
1.12 miles |
|
Lightmoor Village Primary School
Lightmoor Way, Lightmoor Village, Telford, TF4 3EG |
1.17 miles |
|
Madeley Nursery School
Bridle Road, Telford, TF7 5ET |
1.32 miles |
|
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Coronation Crescent, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5EJ |
1.32 miles |
|
Hollinswood Primary School
Dale Acre Way, Hollinswood, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 2EP |
1.4 miles |
|
William Reynolds Primary School and Nursery
Westbourne, Woodside, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5QW |
1.46 miles |
|
Lawley Village Academy
Bryce Way, Lawley Village, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 2SG |
1.59 miles |
|
Woodlands Primary School and Nursery
Ironbridge Road, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5HX |
1.64 miles |
|
Haughton School
Queen Street, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4BW |
1.65 miles |
|
John Randall Primary School
Queen Street, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4DS |
1.68 miles |
|
John Fletcher of Madeley Primary School
Upper Road, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5DL |
1.68 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Queensway
Hinkshay Road, Dawley, Telford, TF4 3PP |
0.34 miles |
|
The Telford Langley School
Duce Drive, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3JS |
0.49 miles |
|
Madeley Academy
Castlefields Way, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5FB |
0.91 miles |
|
The Telford Park School
Grange Avenue, Stirchley, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 1FA |
0.99 miles |
|
Thomas Telford School
Old Park, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4NW |
1.44 miles |
|
Haberdashers' Abraham Darby
Ironbridge Road, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 5HX |
1.64 miles |
|
Aspris Telford School
Dale Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford, TF8 7DT |
1.99 miles |
|
Holy Trinity Academy
Teece Drive, Priorslee, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 9SQ |
2.62 miles |
|
Hadley Learning Community - Secondary Phase
Waterloo Road, Hadley, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 5NU |
3.22 miles |
|
Telford College
Haybridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 2NP |
3.25 miles |
|
The Bridge School
Waterloo Road, Hadley, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 5NQ |
3.28 miles |
|
Ercall Wood Academy
Golf Links Lane, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 2DT |
3.45 miles |
|
New Road Academy
New Road, Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 7AB |
3.5 miles |
|
Wrekin College
Sutherland Road, Telford, TF1 3BH |
3.84 miles |
|
Amberleigh Therapeutic School
The Oaks, Redhill, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 9NZ |
3.86 miles |
|
Idsall School
Coppice Green Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8PD |
4.05 miles |
|
Lamledge School
Lamledge Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8SD |
4.28 miles |
|
Charlton School
Apley Avenue, Telford, TF1 3FA |
4.37 miles |
All schools in Telford · Telford and Wrekin local authority: places and applications
What is Southall School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Southall School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.
When was Southall School last inspected by Ofsted?
Southall School was last inspected in May 2025.
How many pupils does Southall School have?
Southall School has 210 pupils on roll.
What age range does Southall School cover?
Southall School for pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is Southall School?
Southall School is at Off Rowan Avenue, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3PX.