The Grange Learning Centre

The Grange Learning Centre is a small independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, all of whom have education, health and care plans. It is part of the Witherslack Group. Safeguarding standards and all independent school standards are met. Inspectors found a highly inclusive, trusting culture in which pupils feel safe, attend very well and behave exceptionally. Leaders' consistent support and strong relationships have helped attendance improve from previously low levels. Achievement, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development are strong. Pupils make good progress from often disrupted starting points, particularly in reading, mathematics and science, gain a range of qualifications and move on to further education, employment or training. Tailored therapeutic support, effective work with external professionals, high-quality support for looked-after children and a strong careers programme are notable strengths. Staff are well trained, and proprietor oversight is effective. Curriculum and teaching are expected standard but are the main area for development. The curriculum is ambitious and usually adapted well, but it does not clearly identify what pupils need to learn in the earliest stages, so support for foundational knowledge and skills, especially writing, is inconsistent. Some early writers do not get the help they need to write fluently and independently, and teaching occasionally does not build well enough on prior knowledge. Next steps rightly focus on strengthening foundational knowledge and ensuring curriculum sequencing accounts for pupils' starting points.

Strengths

• Highly inclusive, trusting culture where pupils feel safe and celebrated.
• Exceptional attendance, with pupils intrinsically motivated to come to school on time.
• Exemplary pupil behaviour and respectful relationships with staff and peers.
• Strong academic, social and emotional progress from different starting points.
• Tailored therapeutic and personalised support for pupils with SEMH and childhood trauma.
• Effective inclusion work and precise identification of pupils' special educational needs.
• High-quality support for looked-after children, including strong personal education plans.
• Ambitious proprietor vision supported by effective governance and oversight.
• Impressive careers programme with employer links, work placements and strong destinations.
• Comprehensive personal development, including PSHE, online safety, British values and enrichment.
• First-rate pastoral care with swift, decisive action when pupils experience difficulties.
• Pupils develop confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork.

Areas for Improvement

• The curriculum does not clearly identify the foundational knowledge and skills pupils need in the earliest stages.
• Some pupils in the earliest stages of writing do not get the support they need to write fluently and independently.
• Teaching approaches are occasionally inconsistent.
• Learning activities do not always build on what pupils already know.
• Curriculum sequencing of core subject and disciplinary knowledge needs review to account for pupils' starting points.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is The Grange Learning Centre's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Grange Learning Centre is Expected standard, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was The Grange Learning Centre last inspected by Ofsted?

The Grange Learning Centre was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does The Grange Learning Centre have?

The Grange Learning Centre has 16 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Grange Learning Centre cover?

The Grange Learning Centre for pupils aged 7 to 19.

Where is The Grange Learning Centre?

The Grange Learning Centre is at [Postcode DL15 0TY], Low Willington, County Durham, DL15 0TY.