Roaches School

This progress monitoring inspection found that Roaches School now meets all of the independent school standards checked. At its previous standard inspection and first progress monitoring inspection, the school was judged not to meet several standards. Leaders produced an acceptable action plan, and the inspection confirms that the planned actions have been completed so that all previously unmet standards are now met, along with additional standards checked during this visit. The proprietor and governing body provide effective oversight, and school quality assurance processes are now sufficiently robust to identify and address concerns. The school is an independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, and almost all pupils have an education, health and care plan. Inspectors found that the curriculum is now broad and implemented effectively, teaching is effective, assessment systems are improving, and pupils benefit from coherent PSHE, relationships and sex education, careers, and SMSC programmes. Safeguarding remains robust, behaviour is well managed, attendance recording is now accurate, and risk assessments and restrictive intervention procedures are appropriate. No areas of concern were identified in this inspection.

Strengths

• Leaders’ action plan is appropriate and has been successfully implemented, bringing all previously unmet standards into compliance.
• The proprietor and governing body provide effective oversight and hold leaders to account.
• Quality assurance processes cover all aspects of provision and help leaders identify and address concerns.
• The secondary curriculum is now broad, coherent and covers all required areas of learning.
• Teaching is effective throughout the school, and pupils take pride in good-quality work.
• New assessment systems are comprehensive and help staff identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge.
• Pupils who need reading support receive targeted help through a new reading and phonics scheme.
• PSHE, relationships and sex education, and careers provision are coherent and effective.
• The SMSC programme is carefully planned, covers required elements and helps secondary pupils re-engage with learning.
• Safeguarding remains robust, with a strong culture, comprehensive staff training and constructive work with agencies.
• Behaviour is well managed, relationships are positive and pupils trust staff to deal with incidents fairly.
• Attendance recording is now accurate and leaders use attendance information swiftly to address concerns.
• Risk assessments are detailed and regularly reviewed to keep pupils safe.
• Restrictive intervention procedures are properly trained, recorded and shared with parents, carers and the local authority.
• Recruitment checks and the single central record meet statutory requirements and are regularly checked.

In 2025–26, 7.5% of pupils at Roaches School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 92.5% 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 Stoke-On-Trent · Staffordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Roaches School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Roaches School is Inadequate, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was Roaches School last inspected by Ofsted?

Roaches School was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does Roaches School have?

Roaches School has 40 pupils on roll.

What age range does Roaches School cover?

Roaches School for pupils aged 5 to 16.

Where is Roaches School?

Roaches School is at Tunstall Road, Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST8 7AB.