North Road Academy

North Road Academy underwent a material change inspection on 18 June 2026, commissioned by the DfE, to assess its likely compliance with the independent school standards if it changes registration from an independent school to an independent special school, lowers its maximum pupil number from 230 to 90, and admits more pupils with SEND. This was the first material change inspection since the school's standard inspection in November 2024. The overall outcome is that the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the proposed changes are implemented. The report is strongly positive. The proprietor has a powerful vision for an independent special school with an Islamic ethos and brings experience of supporting pupils with SEND; the existing resource provision is described as successful. Leadership and management are secure, with detailed knowledge of the independent school standards, appropriate quality assurance systems, and clear plans for curriculum pathways, staffing, therapy services and site development. Safeguarding arrangements meet requirements, behaviour is positive, and pupils benefit from respectful relationships and well-trained staff. Across the quality of education, welfare, health and safety, suitability of staff, and premises, the school is judged likely to meet the relevant standards. The curriculum is broad and balanced with sensory, rising and shining star pathways, assessment is carefully designed around EHC plans, and the site is well maintained with suitable facilities. No areas of significant concern or underperformance are identified; the main issues are future planning matters, such as recruiting and training additional staff and updating the accessibility plan as pupil numbers grow.

Strengths

• Clear and ambitious vision for an independent special school with an Islamic ethos
• Proprietor has strong experience of supporting pupils with SEND
• Existing resource provision for pupils with SEND is successful
• Leaders have detailed knowledge of the independent school standards
• Effective quality assurance systems for curriculum, teaching and learning
• Broad and balanced curriculum with three incremental learning pathways
• Teaching is well adapted to pupils' needs and staff have secure subject knowledge
• Assessment is carefully designed around EHC plans and detailed entry assessments
• Robust safeguarding policies, detailed concern records and effective staff training
• Positive pupil behaviour and respectful, trusting relationships
• Comprehensive health and safety systems, including fire safety and risk assessments
• Well-maintained premises with suitable classrooms, medical room, therapy spaces and outdoor areas
• Rigorous recruitment checks and an up-to-date single central record
• Good provision for careers, life skills, PSHE and RSE

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at North Road Academy were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 19.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is North Road Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for North Road Academy is Good, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was North Road Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

North Road Academy was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does North Road Academy have?

North Road Academy has 116 pupils on roll.

What age range does North Road Academy cover?

North Road Academy for pupils aged 5 to 16.

What are North Road Academy's GCSE results?

In 2022 its average Attainment 8 score was 46.1, and 57% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is North Road Academy?

North Road Academy is at North Road, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 2BP.