Inscape House School

Inscape House School is a special school for pupils with autism, all of whom have an education, health and care plan, and it is part of the Together Trust. This was a full inspection under the current framework, and there have been leadership changes since the previous inspection, including a new headteacher. Inspectors found the school performing strongly overall, with achievement, inclusion, leadership and governance, personal development and wellbeing, and post-16 provision all at a strong standard. Safeguarding standards are met. The school's highly personalised, therapeutic and inclusive approach is a major strength. Pupils make positive progress from their individual starting points, benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum, and are well prepared for adulthood and next steps; post-16 students consistently secure appropriate destinations. Attendance and behaviour, and curriculum and teaching, are at expected standard. The main area for development is pupils' basic writing, including transcription, grammar and punctuation, which is not as secure as it could be; leaders have appropriate plans to address this.

Strengths

• Robust assessment gives staff a precise understanding of progress towards education, health and care plan outcomes
• Pupils achieve very well from their individual starting points, including disadvantaged pupils and those with significant vulnerabilities
• Communication, reading, emotional and sensory development are prioritised so pupils can engage successfully with learning
• Post-16 students consistently secure appropriate next steps in education, employment or training
• Inclusion is at the heart of the school, with nurture provisions that help pupils rebuild confidence and engagement
• Therapeutic support, including speech and language, animal and play therapy, is carefully selected and impactful
• Leaders, trustees and governors know the school and its context well and are committed to pupils' potential
• Governance provides effective support and challenge, and staff wellbeing and workload are well considered
• Personal development is rich and coherent, woven together with targeted therapeutic and pastoral support
• Pupils access a wide range of enrichment, including trips, clubs, work experience and independent careers advice
• Post-16 provision offers an ambitious, personalised curriculum with increasing nationally recognised accreditation
• The school has a harmonious, nurturing atmosphere with kind, respectful relationships and very rare bullying
• Staff are well trained in de-escalation and adapt teaching skilfully to meet complex special educational needs and/or disabilities
• The curriculum is broad, ambitious and aligned to pupils' education, health and care plans, with effective pathways
• Teaching typically breaks down new ideas clearly and uses regular assessment to inform next steps
• Pupils develop secure foundations in numeracy and reading, including phonics for those ready to access it
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture in which concerns are actively identified and managed

Areas for Improvement

• Pupils' basic writing, including transcription, grammar and punctuation, is not developed as securely as it might be

In 2024–25 pupils at Inscape House School attended 82.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 48.0% 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, 6.8% of pupils at Inscape House 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 Inscape House School had 158 pupils, 99.4% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 98.6%).

It says it provides for: 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 non-maintained special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Stockport · Stockport local authority: places and applications

What is Inscape House School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Inscape House School is Expected standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was Inscape House School last inspected by Ofsted?

Inscape House School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Inscape House School have?

Inscape House School has 158 pupils on roll.

What age range does Inscape House School cover?

Inscape House School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

What are Inscape House School's GCSE results?

In 2024 its average Attainment 8 score was 7.7, and 8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Inscape House School?

Inscape House School is at Together Trust Campus, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Stockport, Cheshire, SK8 1JE.