Apple Orchard School
Apple Orchard School is an independent special school in Horsham for pupils aged 11 to 18. It has 15 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Apple Orchard School is Good, from an inspection in October 2025. In 2022 its average Attainment 8 score was 15.2, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.
Ofsted inspection: October 2025. GCSE results: 2022.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 11-18 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Apple Orchard School Five Oaks Road Slinfold Horsham West Sussex RH13 0RQ |
| Phone | 01403783416 |
| Reference Number | 132069 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 15 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 100%
Girls: 0% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Apple Orchard School is a good independent special school that supports boys aged 12 to 18, most of whom have social, emotional and mental health needs. Overall, the school has made significant improvements following a period of instability, and it has a clear direction for the future. Pupils take pride in their work and enjoy a supportive environment that encourages personal development and positive relationships. The school provides a tailored curriculum that is evolving to meet the diverse needs of its pupils, preparing them well for their future pathways. However, there are noted inconsistencies in how effectively the curriculum is taught in some subjects.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 16 Sep 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 16 Sep 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 29 Nov 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 28 Nov 2017 | Standard inspection: |
| 12 Nov 2013 | Standard inspection: |
| 19 Oct 2010 | Standard inspection: |
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe and proud of their school.
- Strong relationships between staff and pupils foster a supportive learning environment.
- An exceptional personal development programme has a life-changing impact on pupils.
- The school successfully personalizes the curriculum to meet individual needs.
- Staff work collaboratively with home and therapy teams to provide effective support.
- High-profile reading initiatives and opportunities engage pupils in literacy.
Areas for Improvement
- In some subjects, the specific knowledge and skills needed for learning are unclear.
- There are inconsistencies in teaching effectiveness across the curriculum.
- Some lessons do not effectively check for pupils' understanding, leading to gaps in learning.
Attainment 8 Score
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
- English
- Maths
- 3 subjects from qualifications that count towards the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), like sciences, language and history
- 3 more GCSE qualifications (including EBacc subjects) or technical awards from a list approved by the Department for Education
Each grade a pupil gets is assigned a point score from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest). These scores are added up, with English and maths counted twice.
| School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|
| 15.2 | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
GCSE Results
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 0% | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or A-C) | 0% | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment | Locked: unlock for £9.99, one-off payment |
Attainment 8 Score
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
Sample
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Unlock for £9.99| Name | Distance |
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Ingfield Manor School
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Muntham House School
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Manor House School
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Christ's Hospital
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Farlington School
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Rikkyo School-in-England
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All schools in Horsham · West Sussex local authority: places and applications
What is Apple Orchard School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Apple Orchard School is Good, from an inspection in October 2025.
When was Apple Orchard School last inspected by Ofsted?
Apple Orchard School was last inspected in October 2025.
How many pupils does Apple Orchard School have?
Apple Orchard School has 15 pupils on roll.
What age range does Apple Orchard School cover?
Apple Orchard School for pupils aged 11 to 18.
What are Apple Orchard School's GCSE results?
In 2022 its average Attainment 8 score was 15.2, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.
Where is Apple Orchard School?
Apple Orchard School is at Apple Orchard School, Five Oaks Road, Slinfold, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 0RQ.