Oak Bank School

Oak Bank School demonstrates effective action in maintaining high standards since its last inspection, highlighting its commitment to supporting students with special educational needs. The school excels in creating a welcoming and supportive environment where staff are dedicated to understanding and addressing each pupil's unique social and emotional needs. The personalized curriculum, which blends academic and vocational pathways, enables most pupils to thrive and achieve their targets, making it a pivotal institution for those with troubled educational histories.

Strengths

• Pupils feel welcome and valued from the outset.
• Tailored and flexible curriculum benefiting diverse learning needs.
• Strong focus on social and emotional support linked to EHC plans.
• Effective use of staff expertise to maintain a positive learning environment.
• Wide range of vocational opportunities enhancing student engagement.

Areas for Improvement

• Occasional lack of ambition in academic work set for some pupils.
• Some pupils have high absence rates limiting their learning opportunities.

In 2024–25 pupils at Oak Bank School attended 73.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 60.3% 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, 18.3% of pupils at Oak Bank 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 Oak Bank School had 3.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.5% 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 Oak Bank School had 123 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 Oak Bank School received £46,611 and spent £42,984 for each of its 126 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,873,000 (£14,865 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 Leighton Buzzard · Central Bedfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Oak Bank School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Oak Bank School is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Oak Bank School last inspected by Ofsted?

Oak Bank School was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Oak Bank School have?

Oak Bank School has 123 pupils on roll.

What age range does Oak Bank School cover?

Oak Bank School for pupils aged 9 to 19.

What are Oak Bank School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 11.8, and 5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Oak Bank School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Oak Bank School?

Oak Bank School is at Sandy Lane, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 3BE.