Sedgemoor Manor School

Sedgemoor Manor School is a specialist independent school for pupils with autism and associated complex needs; all pupils have an EHCP and placements are funded by several local authorities. This standard inspection found safeguarding standards met and all independent school standards met. The school's inclusion work is a standout strength: leaders and staff know pupils and families well, use detailed learning plans, and provide consistent support that helps pupils overcome previous negative experiences of education. Behaviour is also a strength, attendance and persistent absence are rapidly improving, and pupils generally achieve well from often low starting points, including in the post-16 provision. The curriculum is broad, ambitious and typically well taught, with effective questioning and adaptations, and leaders show a strong moral purpose. Staff feel supported and most parents are positive. However, some pupils' foundational English and mathematics skills are variable—particularly spelling, handwriting and key mathematical facts—and teachers do not always correct these rigorously. Leaders' analysis is not always precise enough to drive improvement, and personal development monitoring, pupils' understanding of other faiths and cultures, PSHE recall, and oversight of the college partnership need sharpening. The next steps focus on strengthening foundational English and mathematics and using achievement, attendance, behaviour and personal development information more precisely to evaluate impact.

Strengths

• Inclusion is the bedrock of the school's success, with high expectations maintained despite pupils' previous difficulties.
• Staff build detailed knowledge of pupils through home visits and individual learning plans before and after entry.
• Support for pupils with autism and complex needs is consistent and highly effective.
• Pupils' behaviour is a strength, with a calm, orderly environment and positive attitudes to learning.
• Attendance and persistent absence are rapidly improving.
• Pupils generally achieve well from low starting points and gain qualifications such as GCSEs and BTEC National Diplomas.
• The curriculum is broad, ambitious and carefully sequenced.
• Teachers typically teach well, using effective questioning and adaptations.
• Teachers quickly identify pupils who have fallen behind and provide additional support.
• Leaders are driven by a moral purpose and make decisions in pupils' best interests.
• Staff are well trained, including new staff, and know pupils' needs well.
• The proprietor body provides effective and timely support, and the school meets the independent school standards in full.
• Staff are proud to work at the school and most parents are positive about its impact.
• Personal development is rich, with enrichment, trips, careers advice and tailored work experience.
• Post-16 provision is bespoke and prepares students well for employment or training.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture in which concerns are actively identified and managed.

Areas for Improvement

• Some pupils' foundational skills in English and mathematics are variable, particularly spelling, handwriting and key mathematical facts.
• Teachers are not consistently rigorous enough in English and mathematics, so some pupils repeat errors.
• Leaders' analysis is less precise in some aspects of the school's work, making improvement harder.
• Pupils' understanding of other faiths and cultures is limited.
• Some pupils' recall of the personal, social and health education programme is patchy.
• Leaders do not check pupils' participation in personal development over time with enough precision.
• Oversight of the college partnership and its impact on pupils' outcomes could be strengthened.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Sedgemoor Manor School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Highbridge · Somerset local authority: places and applications

What is Sedgemoor Manor School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Sedgemoor Manor School is Expected standard, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Sedgemoor Manor School last inspected by Ofsted?

Sedgemoor Manor School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Sedgemoor Manor School have?

Sedgemoor Manor School has 95 pupils on roll.

What age range does Sedgemoor Manor School cover?

Sedgemoor Manor School for pupils aged 7 to 19.

What are Sedgemoor Manor School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 23.4, and 15% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Sedgemoor Manor School?

Sedgemoor Manor School is at Blackford Road, Mark, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4NP.