Adelaide School

Adelaide School continues to demonstrate outstanding performance overall, with a strong emphasis on fostering an inclusive environment where pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), thrive. The school has a highly ambitious curriculum tailored to meet the individual needs of its students, particularly benefitting those who have faced prolonged periods out of education. Notably, the strong relationships between staff and students contribute to pupils' achievements and personal development, preparing them exceptionally well for their future endeavors. The inspection highlighted the school's commitment to attending to both educational and emotional needs, ensuring that pupils develop self-belief and resilience. The leadership team, including trustees, is well-informed and effectively supports the school's high expectations and standards. Parents have expressed high regard for the school's nuanced support strategies, which further contribute to the overall positive school atmosphere.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve exceptionally well and are well-prepared for adulthood.
• Strong relationships between staff and pupils foster a positive learning environment.
• An ambitious and well-structured curriculum tailored to individual needs.
• Effective support for pupils' personal, social, and emotional development.
• High expectations for behavior and respect among pupils.
• Extensive training and support for staff enhance their well-being and expertise.

In 2024–25 pupils at Adelaide School attended 74.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 58.4% 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, 5.6% of pupils at Adelaide 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 Adelaide School had 4.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.1% 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 Adelaide School had 88 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; 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 Adelaide School received £32,132 and spent £31,457 for each of its 89 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £620,000 (£6,964 per pupil).

Across all 13 schools of Manor Hall Academy Trust, income was £31,857 and spending £31,448 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 Crewe · Cheshire East local authority: places and applications

Adelaide School is part of Manor Hall Academy Trust, which runs 13 schools. The nearest others:

• Merryfields School Newcastle
• Manor Abbey School Stoke-On-Trent
• Adelaide Heath Academy Knutsford
• Cicely Haughton School Stoke-On-Trent
• Springfield School Leek
• The Meadows School Leek
• Finch Woods Academy Liverpool
• Loxley Hall School Uttoxeter
• Sherbrook Primary School Cannock
• Rocklands School Lichfield

What is Adelaide School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Adelaide School is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Adelaide School last inspected by Ofsted?

Adelaide School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Adelaide School have?

Adelaide School has 88 pupils on roll.

What age range does Adelaide School cover?

Adelaide School for pupils aged 9 to 18.

What are Adelaide School's GCSE results?

In 2019 its average Attainment 8 score was 10.8, and 8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Adelaide School?

Adelaide School is at Adelaide Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 3DT.