Sutherland House School

Sutherland House School continues to perform well, classified as a good school that caters specifically to pupils with autism spectrum disorder. Pupils express their happiness and enthusiasm toward their lessons and benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes communication through various engaging methods. While there is a strong focus on individual communication plans and a broad range of subjects, there are areas where leaders aim to enhance learning outcomes further, particularly in specifying the essential knowledge that pupils should retain across all subjects. Noteworthy strengths include the supportive learning environment where pupils behave well, understand their learning needs, and enjoy diverse opportunities for personal growth, including outside lessons. Despite these positives, the school needs to ensure that all aspects of the curriculum, especially in personal development, are more coherent and well-planned to maximize student benefits. This inspection marks the school's second ungraded inspection since being rated as good in October 2017.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy lessons and feel safe.
• Individual communication plans effectively support learning.
• Broad and balanced curriculum tailored for pupils with autism.
• Strong staff understanding of pupil needs and behaviour management.
• Engaging activities like trips and outside lessons.
• New library with a diverse range of texts.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent application of reading longer texts in lessons.
• Leaders have not clearly identified essential knowledge in all subjects.
• Personal development curriculum lacks coherence and planning.

In 2024–25 pupils at Sutherland House School attended 83.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 39.5% 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, 2.5% of pupils at Sutherland 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 Sutherland House School had 82 pupils, 100.0% 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 Nottingham · Nottingham local authority: places and applications

What is Sutherland House School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Sutherland House School is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

When was Sutherland House School last inspected by Ofsted?

Sutherland House School was last inspected in March 2023.

How many pupils does Sutherland House School have?

Sutherland House School has 82 pupils on roll.

What age range does Sutherland House School cover?

Sutherland House School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

Where is Sutherland House School?

Sutherland House School is at Bath Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 1DA.