Marland School

Marland School is performing well overall, achieving a 'Good' rating in all inspected areas. The school caters to pupils who have faced significant challenges in their previous education, helping them to settle and re-engage with learning. Strong relationships between staff and pupils contribute to a caring and supportive environment. The school has an ambitious curriculum and high expectations for all students, which has allowed some to find success for the first time after overcoming barriers to learning.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils
• Clear expectations for pupils' behaviour
• Effective strategies for managing complex emotions
• Well-planned personal, social and health education curriculum
• Focused approach to reading and support for pupils who fall behind
• Wide range of extracurricular activities enhancing confidence

Areas for Improvement

• In some subjects, leaders have not clearly identified what pupils need to know
• Learning across key stages is not fully coherent, impacting knowledge retention

In 2024–25 pupils at Marland School attended 82.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 42.3% 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, 3.8% of pupils at Marland 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 Marland School had 5.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 11.4% 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 Marland School had 163 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Marland School received £46,328 and spent £46,495 for each of its 163 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £442,000 (£2,711 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 Torridge · Devon local authority: places and applications

Marland School is part of Sentient Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Pathfield School Barnstaple
• Barley Lane School Exeter
• Southbrook School Exeter
• Ellen Tinkham School Exeter
• Bidwell Brook School Totnes

What is Marland School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Marland School is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

When was Marland School last inspected by Ofsted?

Marland School was last inspected in May 2023.

How many pupils does Marland School have?

Marland School has 163 pupils on roll.

What age range does Marland School cover?

Marland School for pupils aged 5 to 16.

What are Marland School's GCSE results?

In 2025 its average Attainment 8 score was 7.2, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

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

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

Where is Marland School?

Marland School is at Peters Marland, Torrington, Devon, EX38 8QQ.