Southfield School

Southfield School continues to perform well, maintaining its 'good' rating in this ungraded inspection. The school effectively supports pupils with historical educational challenges, rebuilding their confidence and promoting a safe, nurturing environment. Unique features like personalized behavioral plans and a focus on enhancing pupils' social skills have fostered a pleasant atmosphere, where partnerships with parents and external parties are strong. There is potential for the school to achieve an outstanding rating in future graded inspections due to recent improvements in curriculum and teaching practices.

Strengths

• Caring and dedicated staff who promote pupil confidence
• Effective strategies for behavior management leading to a calm environment
• Strong support systems for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Successful implementation of a phonics program improving reading skills
• Well-resourced facilities, including new playground equipment
• Robust transition processes for pupils moving to new schools

In 2024–25 pupils at Southfield School attended 92.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 16.3% 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, 2.9% of pupils at Southfield School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Southfield School had 6.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.9% 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 Southfield School had 108 pupils, 100.0% 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; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; multi-sensory impairment; 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 Southfield School received £26,426 and spent £25,527 for each of its 108 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £803,000 (£7,433 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 Hatfield · Hertfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Southfield School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Southfield School is Good, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Southfield School last inspected by Ofsted?

Southfield School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Southfield School have?

Southfield School has 108 pupils on roll.

What age range does Southfield School cover?

Southfield School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

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

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

Where is Southfield School?

Southfield School is at Woods Avenue, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 8NN.