Portesbery School

Portesbery School continues to perform well as a good school where pupils are happy, safe, and well cared for. The commitment of the staff to understanding each pupil's individual needs is a notable strength, and the school's curriculum is effectively tailored to support these needs, particularly through the emphasis on life skills and communication. The environment is positive, with efforts made to encourage social interaction and personal development, and pupils benefit from a range of enriching experiences. Nevertheless, staff monitoring of the curriculum's implementation requires improvement to ensure consistency across all areas of the school.

Strengths

• Pupils are happy, safe, and well looked after.
• Staff care deeply about understanding pupils' individual needs.
• Effective use of diverse communication strategies.
• Strong emphasis on teaching important life skills.
• Continuous development of a love for reading among pupils.
• Regular monitoring of pupils' understanding and progress.
• Enrichment through various outdoor learning and community activities.
• Supportive sixth form that prepares pupils for appropriate next steps.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistency in curriculum implementation across different areas.
• Some minor shortcomings in record-keeping related to recruitment checks and staff training.

In 2024–25 pupils at Portesbery School attended 89.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.1% 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 Portesbery 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 Portesbery School had 6.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.1% 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 Portesbery School had 145 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty.

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 Portesbery School received £35,111 and spent £32,993 for each of its 145 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £644,000 (£4,440 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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• Secondary Schools

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What is Portesbery School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Portesbery School is Good, from an inspection in July 2023.

When was Portesbery School last inspected by Ofsted?

Portesbery School was last inspected in July 2023.

How many pupils does Portesbery School have?

Portesbery School has 145 pupils on roll.

What age range does Portesbery School cover?

Portesbery School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is Portesbery School?

Portesbery School is at Newfoundland Road, Deepcut, Surrey, GU16 6TA.