Philpots Manor School

Philpots Manor School is an independent special day school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and communication and interaction difficulties. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan, and many have missed extended periods of schooling before joining. This standard inspection took place under section 109 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, and the school has had a new headteacher since its last inspection. Safeguarding standards are met, and all independent school standards are met. The school performs strongly in attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Inspectors found a deeply caring, nurturing and ambitious culture where pupils feel safe, attend highly, behave well, and receive precise, trauma-informed support. Provision for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils is rigorous, and pupils benefit from strong pastoral care, outdoor and equine learning, vocational pathways, and careers education. Achievement and curriculum and teaching are at expected standard; pupils achieve well and make impressive progress, with reading a strength. The main area for development is writing. Pupils' writing in English and across other subjects is not consistently high quality, and teachers do not always model high-quality writing, which limits pupils' development. Leaders have correctly identified this priority, and early improvements are evident. The next step is to maintain focus on improving writing across the curriculum.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed.
• Attendance is strong and rising, with many pupils who previously missed extended schooling now attending every day.
• Behaviour is impressive; the school is calm, respectful and positive, and pupils manage their feelings well.
• Pupils feel safe and have no worries about bullying because staff address concerns swiftly.
• Inclusion is a major strength, with forensic identification and rigorous support for pupils with SEND.
• Provision for disadvantaged pupils is highly targeted, and leaders track the impact of interventions relentlessly.
• Leadership and governance are strong, with a clear shared mission, effective oversight and well-supported staff.
• Personal development and wellbeing are highly effective, including trauma-informed pastoral care and tailored support.
• Outdoor learning and equine provision build reflection, resilience, empathy and teamwork.
• Pupils are well prepared for adulthood through vocational pathways, careers education and practical life skills.
• The curriculum is broad, balanced and inclusive, with a recently embedded phonics approach supporting early reading.
• Pupils make impressive progress through individual learning targets, and many go on to study A-levels.
• All independent school standards are met.

Areas for Improvement

• Pupils' writing in English and across other subjects is not consistently high quality.
• Teachers do not always model high-quality writing, which limits pupils' ability to develop strong writing skills.
• Writing remains the key priority for improvement across the curriculum.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Philpots 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.

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• Secondary Schools

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What is Philpots Manor School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Philpots Manor School last inspected by Ofsted?

Philpots Manor School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Philpots Manor School have?

Philpots Manor School has 61 pupils on roll.

What age range does Philpots Manor School cover?

Philpots Manor School for pupils aged 7 to 19.

Where is Philpots Manor School?

Philpots Manor School is at [Postcode RH19 4PR], West Hoathly, West Sussex, RH19 4PR.