The Woodlands Academy

The Woodlands Academy is performing well overall, rated as good in all key areas including the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school, which has transitioned from requiring improvement in its previous inspection, effectively supports a diverse population of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the individualized needs of pupils, although there are some inconsistencies in how these pathways integrate throughout the students' academic journey. The positive school culture, strong relationships between staff and students, and proactive safeguarding measures contribute to a secure and nurturing environment for learning.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils.
• Effective phonics and communication support.
• Well-developed personal development programs.
• Engagement in community projects.
• Robust careers guidance and work experience opportunities.
• Governance practices have improved significantly.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum pathways are not consistently clear across all subjects.
• Some pupils experience frequent absences.
• Part-time timetables hinder learning for some pupils.
• Safeguarding records are not always detailed or timely.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Woodlands Academy attended 84.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 48.3% 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, 2.9% of pupils at The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands Academy had 7.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% 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 The Woodlands Academy had 146 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; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 The Woodlands Academy received £27,959 and spent £26,461 for each of its 138 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £609,000 (£4,412 per pupil).

Across all 7 schools of Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, income was £28,545 and spending £28,434 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 Scarborough · North Yorkshire local authority: places and applications

The Woodlands Academy is part of Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, which runs 7 schools. The nearest others:

• Mo Mowlam Academy Redcar
• Hollis Academy Middlesbrough
• Westlands Academy Stockton-On-Tees
• Abbey Hill Academy Stockton-On-Tees
• Green Gates Academy Stockton-On-Tees
• Norman Cornish Academy Spennymoor

What is The Woodlands Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Woodlands Academy is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.

When was The Woodlands Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

The Woodlands Academy was last inspected in April 2024.

How many pupils does The Woodlands Academy have?

The Woodlands Academy has 146 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Woodlands Academy cover?

The Woodlands Academy for pupils aged 2 to 16.

What are The Woodlands Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Woodlands Academy?

The Woodlands Academy is at Woodlands Drive, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 6QN.