Longspee Academy

Longspee Academy demonstrates a solid overall performance, achieving a good rating in educational quality, behavior, and leadership, with exceptional marks in personal development. The school effectively provides a supportive environment for students, particularly those coming from challenging previous placements, promoting confidence and self-esteem. There is an ambitious curriculum that places strong emphasis on reading, enabling pupils to aim for future successes. However, attendance remains an issue, with some pupils missing school regularly, which hinders their learning progress.

Strengths

• Calm and nurturing environment that supports pupils' learning
• High expectations of behavior and effective staff support
• Strong emphasis on personal development and social responsibility
• Ambitious curriculum with a wide range of subjects
• Highly effective phonics teaching leading to improved reading skills
• Well-planned careers guidance and meaningful work experience opportunities

Areas for Improvement

• Challenging attendance rates affecting pupils' learning progress
• Gaps in knowledge for older pupils from previous placements

In 2024–25 pupils at Longspee Academy attended 81.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 44.8% 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, 18.9% of pupils at Longspee Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 2 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 Longspee Academy had 3.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.2% 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 Longspee Academy had 106 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Longspee Academy received £41,354 and spent £38,406 for each of its 111 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £107,000 (£963 per pupil).

Across all 13 schools of Authentic Education Group Limited, income was £9,345 and spending £9,661 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 Poole · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local authority: places and applications

Longspee Academy is part of Authentic Education Group Limited, which runs 13 schools. The nearest others:

• St Aldhelm's Academy Poole
• Manorside Academy Poole
• Bayside Academy Poole
• Oak Academy Bournemouth
• LeAF Studio Bournemouth
• Elm Academy Bournemouth
• Kinson Academy Bournemouth
• Queen's Park Academy Bournemouth
• King's Park Academy Bournemouth
• Tregonwell Academy Bournemouth

What is Longspee Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Longspee Academy is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Longspee Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Longspee Academy was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Longspee Academy have?

Longspee Academy has 106 pupils on roll.

What age range does Longspee Academy cover?

Longspee Academy for pupils aged 5 to 16.

What are Longspee Academy's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 11.1, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Longspee Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Longspee Academy?

Longspee Academy is at Learoyd Road, Canford Heath, Poole, Dorset, BH17 8PJ.