Dove House Academy

Dove House School is an outstanding special school that effectively meets the needs of pupils with moderate learning difficulties. The school is characterized by a nurturing culture where pupils feel safe and supported, leading to high levels of engagement and excellent academic outcomes. The leadership team shares a compelling vision for preparing pupils for independence and success in life beyond school, illustrated by the fact that all pupils have progressed to suitable further education or employment following their time at the school. Parents express overwhelming support for the school, highlighting its positive impact on their children.

Strengths

• Outstanding quality of education across all domains.
• Strong focus on preparing pupils for independent life and work.
• Effective support for pupils with varying needs and challenges.
• Pupils demonstrate high levels of engagement and pride in their work.
• Wide range of extracurricular activities that enrich learning experiences.
• Strong leadership that is well respected by the school community.

In 2024–25 pupils at Dove House Academy attended 91.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 22.3% 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, 5.1% of pupils at Dove House Academy 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 Dove House Academy had 7.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.6% 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 Dove House Academy had 238 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty.

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 2024–25 Dove House Academy received £22,383 and spent £23,283 for each of its 234 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £631,000 (£2,698 per pupil).

Across all 5 schools of Solent Academies Trust, income was £29,889 and spending £30,094 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Basingstoke · Hampshire local authority: places and applications

Dove House Academy is part of Solent Academies Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Littlegreen Academy Chichester
• Luminous Oak Academy Botley
• Redwood Park Academy Portsmouth
• Cliffdale Primary Academy Portsmouth
• Mary Rose Academy Portsmouth

What is Dove House Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Dove House Academy is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was Dove House Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Dove House Academy was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does Dove House Academy have?

Dove House Academy has 238 pupils on roll.

What age range does Dove House Academy cover?

Dove House Academy for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Dove House Academy?

Dove House Academy is at Sutton Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 5SU.