Horton Lodge Community Special School

Horton Lodge Community Special School continues to demonstrate strong performance as a good school. Pupils are notably happy and excited to arrive at school, indicating a positive and nurturing environment fostered by experienced staff who work closely with parents and support agencies. The curriculum has received enhancements, particularly in mathematics, and is designed to promote independence and communication, which resonates well with the pupils' individual needs. However, some areas of the curriculum lack a clear definition of knowledge and skills to be acquired, and this affects the overall progression of some pupils' learning. Additionally, while there is a strong emphasis on improving reading, the delivery of the phonics program shows variability that may hinder some pupils' reading progress.

Strengths

• Pupils are happy and excited to attend school.
• Experienced staff provide excellent care and support.
• Curriculum improvements have been made, especially in mathematics.
• Strong focus on communication and independence skills.
• Positive and respectful relationships between staff and pupils.
• Strong support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Pupils enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Areas for Improvement

• Some curriculum areas lack a clear sequence of knowledge and skills.
• Variability in the implementation of the structured phonics program.

In 2024–25 pupils at Horton Lodge Community Special School attended 85.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 53.2% 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 Horton Lodge Community Special 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 Horton Lodge Community Special School had 8.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 13.2% 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 Horton Lodge Community Special School had 66 pupils, 98.5% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: physical disability.

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 Horton Lodge Community Special School received £39,454 and spent £36,387 for each of its 66 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £170,000 (£2,568 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).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Leek · Staffordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Horton Lodge Community Special School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Horton Lodge Community Special School is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.

When was Horton Lodge Community Special School last inspected by Ofsted?

Horton Lodge Community Special School was last inspected in February 2024.

How many pupils does Horton Lodge Community Special School have?

Horton Lodge Community Special School has 66 pupils on roll.

What age range does Horton Lodge Community Special School cover?

Horton Lodge Community Special School for pupils aged 2 to 11.

What are Horton Lodge Community Special School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Horton Lodge Community Special School?

Horton Lodge Community Special School is at Rudyard, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8RB.