Walton Hall Academy

Walton Hall Academy has been recognized for its excellent care and support for students, resulting in a positive and safe environment that promotes strong relationships between pupils and staff. The school operates three well-structured curriculum pathways that effectively accommodate the diverse needs of its special education population. High expectations are set for all pupils, and they display commendable progress in their learning. The leadership team has successfully steered the school through improvement, garnering support from staff and stakeholders alike, making it a well-regarded establishment in the community. While the academy is performing well overall, the inspection highlighted some concerns regarding the teaching of reading. Not all staff possess the necessary expertise in phonics instruction, which could impede some pupils' progress in becoming proficient readers. Despite this area for improvement, the school's overall strengths in pastoral care, curriculum planning, and student engagement are significant and contribute to its strong reputation.

Strengths

• Strong, respectful relationships between pupils and staff.
• High expectations for pupil achievement and behaviour.
• Well-planned curriculum adapted for diverse needs.
• Effective preparation for adulthood programs.
• Excellent pastoral care and support for pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Some staff lack sufficient expertise in teaching reading and phonics.

In 2024–25 pupils at Walton Hall Academy attended 90.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 26.7% 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, 1.4% of pupils at Walton Hall 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 Walton Hall Academy had 10.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 11.1% 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 Walton Hall Academy had 223 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; 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 Walton Hall Academy received £23,820 and spent £23,788 for each of its 216 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £451,000 (£2,089 per pupil).

Across all 30 schools of The Shaw Education Trust, income was £11,108 and spending £10,954 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 Stafford · Staffordshire local authority: places and applications

Walton Hall Academy is part of The Shaw Education Trust, which runs 30 schools. The nearest others:

• The Meadows Primary Academy Stoke-On-Trent
• Seabridge Primary School Newcastle-Under-Lyme
• Portland School Stoke-On-Trent
• Coppice Academy Newcastle
• Blackfriars Academy Newcastle-Under-Lyme
• Madeley High School Crewe
• The Meadows Primary School Crewe
• Waterside Primary School Stoke-On-Trent
• The Orme Academy Newcastle
• Moorhill Primary School Cannock

What is Walton Hall Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Walton Hall Academy is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

When was Walton Hall Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Walton Hall Academy was last inspected in September 2022.

How many pupils does Walton Hall Academy have?

Walton Hall Academy has 223 pupils on roll.

What age range does Walton Hall Academy cover?

Walton Hall Academy for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Walton Hall Academy?

Walton Hall Academy is at Stafford Road, Eccleshall, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST21 6JR.