Marshlands School

Marshlands School continues to effectively maintain the standards identified in its previous inspection, focusing on the personal development of its pupils. The school emphasizes fostering independence in students and promotes a supportive learning environment where academic and social needs are met. With strong collaboration between staff and parents, pupils show a high level of engagement and rarely miss school. Overall, the school's positive atmosphere and caring community contribute to a safe and welcoming educational experience for its pupils.

Strengths

• Strong emphasis on personal development
• High expectations and quality of learning
• Effective use of pupil information to tailor curriculum pathways
• Positive relationships between staff and pupils
• Engagement of pupils in their learning
• Comprehensive support for early reading
• Excellent staff teamwork and support

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistency in curriculum delivery impacting pupil achievement
• Some activities not closely matched to pupil needs

In 2024–25 pupils at Marshlands School attended 92.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 22.9% 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 Marshlands 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 Marshlands School had 11.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 21.5% 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 Marshlands School had 201 pupils, 98.5% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or 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 Marshlands School received £23,406 and spent £22,772 for each of its 201 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £600,000 (£2,987 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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What is Marshlands School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Marshlands School is Good, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was Marshlands School last inspected by Ofsted?

Marshlands School was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does Marshlands School have?

Marshlands School has 201 pupils on roll.

What age range does Marshlands School cover?

Marshlands School for pupils aged 5 to 11.

What are Marshlands School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Marshlands School?

Marshlands School is at Second Avenue, Tillington, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 1PS.