Abbey Hill Academy

Abbey Hill Academy continues to uphold strong educational standards, indicating effective action since the last inspection. The school supports pupils with a wide range of needs, providing an enriching curriculum that blends academic and vocational opportunities. Staff at the Academy are particularly skilled in understanding and addressing individual pupil needs, fostering a caring environment where pupils feel safe and happy. High expectations for behaviour and learning are evident, contributing to a positive school culture that prepares students well for life beyond the classroom.

Strengths

• Pupils are supported by skilled staff who understand their individual needs.
• The curriculum is ambitious and offers tailored pathways for all pupils.
• Behaviour is exemplary, with pupils demonstrating politeness and respect.
• Pupils engage in meaningful work experiences that enhance their employability.
• The school successfully teaches communication strategies to all pupils.
• Pupils have regular reading opportunities supported by a structured phonics program.
• The school provides a broad enrichment program, including sports and community activities.
• Leadership is passionate and dedicated to pupil achievement.

Areas for Improvement

• The recording of behaviour incidents is inconsistent, making trend analysis difficult.

In 2024–25 pupils at Abbey Hill Academy attended 90.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 24.8% 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, 1.6% of pupils at Abbey Hill 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 Abbey Hill Academy had 6.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 4.9% 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 Abbey Hill Academy had 371 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; 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 Abbey Hill Academy received £26,748 and spent £27,215 for each of its 367 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,619,000 (£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 Stockton-On-Tees · Stockton-on-Tees local authority: places and applications

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

• Green Gates Academy Stockton-On-Tees
• Westlands Academy Stockton-On-Tees
• Hollis Academy Middlesbrough
• Mo Mowlam Academy Redcar
• Norman Cornish Academy Spennymoor
• The Woodlands Academy Scarborough

What is Abbey Hill Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Abbey Hill Academy is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.

When was Abbey Hill Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Abbey Hill Academy was last inspected in September 2025.

How many pupils does Abbey Hill Academy have?

Abbey Hill Academy has 371 pupils on roll.

What age range does Abbey Hill Academy cover?

Abbey Hill Academy for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Abbey Hill Academy?

Abbey Hill Academy is at Ketton Road, Hardwick Estate, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 8BU.