The Orchard School

The Orchard School is a maintained special school for pupils aged 2 to 11 with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties. Since the previous inspection, a new headteacher has taken up post, and the school has addressed the earlier weaknesses in the quality of education. Inspectors found the curriculum is now logically planned and rooted in the early years, staff check learning regularly and address gaps quickly, and pupils are well supported to achieve. Parents are highly positive, and pupils benefit from clear routines, strong relationships and a genuine sense of being listened to. Reading and communication are notable strengths. Phonics is prepared for carefully, staff use inventive approaches to remove barriers, and pupils develop a love of reading with a well-resourced accessible library. Communication is central to learning, supported by individual communication profiles and training, and pupils’ personal development is thoughtfully planned through visits, activities and opportunities to build resilience and citizenship. Behaviour and attendance are managed with high expectations, and safeguarding arrangements are effective. The main areas for improvement are that recent curriculum changes linked to pupils’ EHC plans are not yet fully embedded, so some pupils do not secure that learning as quickly as they could, and a small number of staff do not consistently use the agreed communication methods such as symbols, signing and technology. This slows progress for some pupils. Leaders and governors have put pupils first and supported staff through a period of change, although workload has increased.

Strengths

• Pupils feel valued and supported, and parents speak highly of the school
• Clear routines and songs help pupils settle and move between activities
• Curriculum is logically planned and rooted in the early years
• Staff check learning regularly and address gaps quickly
• Strong phonics and reading provision, including an accessible new library
• Communication is central, with individual profiles and staff training
• High expectations for behaviour and attendance, with effective monitoring and early help
• Personal development is well considered through visits, activities and citizenship learning
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective
• Leaders and governors put pupils first and support staff through change

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum and EHC plan practice is not yet consistently embedded, so some pupils do not secure learning as quickly as they could
• Some staff do not consistently use agreed communication systems such as symbols, signing and technology, slowing progress for some pupils

In 2024–25 pupils at The Orchard School attended 86.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 44.3% 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, 0.0% of pupils at The Orchard 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 The Orchard School had 7.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.0% 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 The Orchard School had 173 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 The Orchard School received £31,550 and spent £30,836 for each of its 173 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £77,000 (£448 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 The Orchard School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Orchard School is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.

When was The Orchard School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Orchard School was last inspected in September 2025.

How many pupils does The Orchard School have?

The Orchard School has 173 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Orchard School cover?

The Orchard School for pupils aged 2 to 11.

What are The Orchard School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Orchard School?

The Orchard School is at Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 8LD.