Churchill Special Free School

Churchill Special Free School continues to perform effectively, successfully maintaining the high standards established during its previous inspection. The school's strong focus on inclusivity allows pupils to embrace their individuality and develop social skills in a supportive environment. With a well-structured and diverse curriculum, tailored to meet the needs of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), pupils are making significant progress from their starting points. The school provides exceptional support in speech, language, and therapeutic areas, contributing to high levels of pupil engagement and consistency in attendance.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and valued in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
• Staff provide highly effective support tailored to pupils' individual needs.
• Robust assessment processes identify and bridge gaps in knowledge.
• A wide variety of extracurricular activities enhance pupils' confidence.
• Exceptional personal, social, health, and economic education prepares pupils for adulthood.
• High-quality careers guidance ensures pupils aim for their potential.

In 2024–25 pupils at Churchill Special Free School attended 96.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 7.2% 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 Churchill Special Free 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 Churchill Special Free School had 7.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.5% 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 Churchill Special Free School had 82 pupils, 98.8% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: speech, language and communication needs; 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 Churchill Special Free School received £28,148 and spent £23,548 for each of its 71 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £22,000 (£305 per pupil).

Across all 39 schools of Unity Schools Partnership, income was £8,494 and spending £8,500 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 Haverhill · Suffolk local authority: places and applications

Churchill Special Free School is part of Unity Schools Partnership, which runs 40 schools. The nearest others:

• Coupals Primary Academy Haverhill
• Westfield Primary Academy Haverhill
• Samuel Ward Academy Haverhill
• Place Farm Primary Academy Haverhill
• Castle Manor Academy Haverhill
• Clements Primary Academy Haverhill
• Burton End Primary Academy Haverhill
• Kedington Primary Academy Haverhill
• Steeple Bumpstead Primary School Haverhill
• Wickhambrook Primary Academy Newmarket

What is Churchill Special Free School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Churchill Special Free School is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Churchill Special Free School last inspected by Ofsted?

Churchill Special Free School was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Churchill Special Free School have?

Churchill Special Free School has 82 pupils on roll.

What age range does Churchill Special Free School cover?

Churchill Special Free School for pupils aged 9 to 18.

What are Churchill Special Free School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 29.9, and 17% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Churchill Special Free School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 25% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Churchill Special Free School?

Churchill Special Free School is at Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 0LB.