Waterside School

Waterside School has received an outstanding rating in its recent Ofsted inspection, highlighting the school's exceptional quality of education, behavior, personal development, and leadership. The leaders have cultivated a nurturing environment where students with complex needs thrive, and staff consistently provide tailored support to help each pupil achieve their best. The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, effectively meeting the diverse needs of students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs and autism spectrum disorder.

Strengths

• Inspiring school culture that fosters good behavior and hard work.
• Ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum promoting broad subject knowledge.
• Strong support for students' emotional and behavioral needs.
• Highly engaging texts and personalized approach to phonics enhance reading skills.
• Pupils demonstrate confidence and fluency in reading.
• Active promotion of pupils' personal development through various initiatives.
• Committed and well-supported staff who are reflective on their practice.
• Effective safeguarding arrangements ensuring pupil safety and well-being.

In 2024–25 pupils at Waterside School attended 85.9% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 54.5% 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 Waterside 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 Waterside School had 3.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 24.6% 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 Waterside School had 45 pupils, 97.8% 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 Waterside School received £60,838 and spent £47,819 for each of its 45 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,464,000 (£32,527 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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What is Waterside School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Waterside School is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2023.

When was Waterside School last inspected by Ofsted?

Waterside School was last inspected in July 2023.

How many pupils does Waterside School have?

Waterside School has 45 pupils on roll.

What age range does Waterside School cover?

Waterside School for pupils aged 5 to 11.

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

In 2025, 27% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Waterside School?

Waterside School is at Robert Street, London, SE18 7NB.