Kingfisher School

Kingfisher School continues to perform well, maintaining its status as a good school since its last inspection in 2014. The school fosters a nurturing environment, particularly for pupils with special educational needs, where they feel happy and safe thanks to well-trained staff who provide effective support. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to accommodate various learning needs, particularly enhancing communication skills, leading to greater independence among pupils. Many parents express satisfaction with the school's commitment to their children's development and well-being.

Strengths

• Pupils receive excellent support tailored to their individual needs.
• The curriculum is ambitious and well-planned, facilitating effective learning pathways.
• Strong focus on developing communication skills across all age groups.
• Staff provide a calm and purposeful learning environment which promotes good behavior.
• The sixth form offers a varied curriculum that prepares students for future opportunities.

Areas for Improvement

• Assessment systems in a few subjects are still developing, affecting oversight of pupils' learning.
• Subject leadership is not fully developed in some areas, lacking precise understanding of pupil progress.

In 2024–25 pupils at Kingfisher School attended 91.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.2% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher School had 7.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.7% 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 Kingfisher School had 113 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 Kingfisher School received £32,332 and spent £29,103 for each of its 116 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £771,000 (£6,649 per pupil).

Across all 3 schools of The Propeller Academy Trust, income was £32,441 and spending £30,305 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 Abingdon · Oxfordshire local authority: places and applications

Kingfisher School is part of The Propeller Academy Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• John Watson School Oxford
• Fitzwaryn School Wantage
• Woodeaton Manor School Oxford
• Bishopswood School Reading
• Hawthorn Academy Wokingham

What is Kingfisher School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Kingfisher School is Good, from an inspection in July 2024.

When was Kingfisher School last inspected by Ofsted?

Kingfisher School was last inspected in July 2024.

How many pupils does Kingfisher School have?

Kingfisher School has 113 pupils on roll.

What age range does Kingfisher School cover?

Kingfisher School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Kingfisher School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Kingfisher School?

Kingfisher School is at Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3RR.