Highcroft School

Highcroft School is a small independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and autism. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities, many are children in care, and some join after prolonged absence or previous difficulties in education. The school meets the independent school standards and safeguarding standards, and inspectors judged all evaluated areas to be at the expected standard. Leaders have a clear understanding of the school's strengths, and provision is underpinned by strong pastoral care, effective inclusion and good preparation for pupils' next steps. The school's main strengths are its rigorous approach to identifying and supporting SEND, its therapeutic and wellbeing provision, its work to improve attendance, and its positive relationships between pupils and staff. Pupils generally make appropriate progress, gain qualifications, and move on to suitable college courses. Behaviour is managed skilfully, bullying and discriminatory behaviour are rare, and pupils benefit from a broad curriculum, enrichment activities and strong careers and independence education. The main area for improvement is teaching consistency. Staff sometimes do not extend pupils' knowledge effectively enough, and subject knowledge across the curriculum is variable because staff do not receive enough high-quality subject-specific training. Leaders should ensure teaching is consistently effective, that pedagogical strategies deepen learning, and that professional development builds staff subject expertise. Overall, this is a positive inspection with no safeguarding or compliance concerns and clear capacity to improve further.

Strengths

• Strong pastoral care and trusting relationships between pupils and staff.
• Rigorous identification of SEND and individual support starting before pupils join.
• Effective support for gaps in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Broad key stage 3 curriculum and personalised key stage 4 vocational options.
• Rigorous attendance work that significantly improves many pupils' attendance.
• Positive behaviour culture with rare bullying and skilled de-escalation.
• Therapeutic and mental health support tailored to pupils' complex needs.
• Good preparation for adulthood, independence and careers.
• Wide enrichment including outdoor education and community activities.
• Effective leadership, governance and partnerships with parents and external services.
• Staff feel well supported with workload and wellbeing.
• Pupils feel safe, belong, and typically make appropriate progress.

Areas for Improvement

• Teaching does not consistently extend pupils' knowledge effectively enough.
• Staff subject knowledge across the curriculum is variable.
• Staff do not receive enough high-quality subject-specific professional development.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Highcroft School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Highcroft School last inspected by Ofsted?

Highcroft School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Highcroft School have?

Highcroft School has 13 pupils on roll.

What age range does Highcroft School cover?

Highcroft School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is Highcroft School?

Highcroft School is at Highcroft, The Green, Cockfield, BISHOP AUCKLAND, County Durham, DL13 5AG.