Access School
Access School is an independent special school in Shrewsbury for pupils aged 5 to 16. It has 30 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Access School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.
Ofsted inspection: June 2024.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 5-16 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Holbrook Villa Farm Harmer Hill Broughton Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 3EW |
| Phone | 01939220797 |
| Reference Number | 132772 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 30 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 86.67%
Girls: 13.33% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Access School, an independent special school for pupils aged 5 to 16, has shown significant improvement since its previous inspection, moving from a rating of requires improvement to good overall. The school focuses on building positive relationships, which helps students re-engage with learning, especially those who have been out of education for extended periods. High-quality teaching underpinned by a therapeutic approach has contributed to the improvement in the quality of education provided, alongside a supportive community environment appreciated by parents and staff alike. However, the school recognizes the need to further enhance the quality of education and target-setting for individual pupils.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 30 Apr 2024 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 30 Apr 2024 | Standard inspection: |
| 25 Apr 2023 | Additional inspection |
| 27 Sep 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 05 Nov 2019 | Standard inspection: |
| 20 Jun 2017 | Additional inspection |
| 13 Sep 2016 | Standard inspection: |
| 28 Feb 2012 | Standard inspection: |
| 08 Jul 2008 | Standard inspection: |
| 01 Mar 2004 | Standard inspection |
Strengths
- Effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Strong focus on building positive relationships between staff and pupils.
- Commitment to improving curriculum and enrichment activities.
- Well-organized assessments on student abilities upon entry.
- Active involvement of pupils in school responsibilities and community.
- Dedicated and supportive staff who prioritize pupil well-being.
Areas for Improvement
- Some teachers lack subject knowledge when teaching outside their specialization.
- Curriculum sequencing is unclear in a small number of subjects.
- Targets for some pupils are too general and lack specificity.
In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Access 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.
| Name | Distance |
|
Clive CofE Primary School
The Hill, Grinshill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3LF |
1.08 miles |
|
Myddle CofE Primary School
Myddle, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3RP |
2.04 miles |
|
St Peter's CofE Primary School
Shrubbery Gardens, Wem, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5BX |
2.95 miles |
|
Hadnall Church of England Primary School
Hadnall Ce Primary School, Astley Lane, Hadnall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4BE |
3.39 miles |
|
Bomere Heath Church of England Primary School
The Crescent, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3PQ |
3.7 miles |
|
St Marys CofE Primary School
Poynton Road, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4JR |
4.28 miles |
|
Newtown CofE Primary School
Newtown, Wem, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5NU |
4.6 miles |
|
Weston Lullingfields Church of England Primary School and Nursery
Weston Lullingfields, Nr Baschurch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 2AW |
4.79 miles |
|
Baschurch CofE Primary School
Eyton Lane, Baschurch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 2AU |
4.92 miles |
|
Cockshutt CofE Primary School and Nursery
Cockshutt, Shrewsbury Road, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0JE |
4.98 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Smallbrook School
Units 1 - 4, Sleap Industrial Estate, Sleap, Nr.Wem, Shropshire, SY4 3HE |
1.36 miles |
|
Woodlands School
Tilley Green, Wem, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5PJ |
1.54 miles |
|
The Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill, Wem, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5UB |
2.89 miles |
|
Loppington House FE Unit
Loppington, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5NF |
3.8 miles |
|
The Corbet School
Eyton Lane, Baschurch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 2AX |
4.85 miles |
All schools in Shrewsbury · Shropshire local authority: places and applications
What is Access School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Access School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.
When was Access School last inspected by Ofsted?
Access School was last inspected in June 2024.
How many pupils does Access School have?
Access School has 30 pupils on roll.
What age range does Access School cover?
Access School for pupils aged 5 to 16.
Where is Access School?
Access School is at Holbrook Villa Farm, Harmer Hill, Broughton, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3EW.