Woodlands Academy

Woodlands Academy has made significant progress since its previous inspection, moving from an inadequate rating to a good overall effectiveness. The school is well-resourced and focused on meeting the diverse needs of its pupils, primarily those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have successfully cultivated a positive culture of learning, and pupils feel safe, supported, and motivated to learn through a curriculum that prepares them for future success. Though the school excels in many areas, including the quality of education and personal development, there are still challenges with certain aspects of teaching and pupil attendance.

Strengths

• Strong leadership and management fostering a positive school culture
• Well-resourced and engaging learning environment
• Effective support for pupils' personal development and emotional well-being
• Broad and well-sequenced curriculum tailored to pupils' individual needs
• High staff morale and commitment to professional development

Areas for Improvement

• Variability in teaching quality across subjects
• Lack of training for some staff in teaching early reading skills
• Challenges with regular student attendance impacting learning

In 2024–25 pupils at Woodlands Academy attended 84.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 39.3% 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, 25.6% of pupils at Woodlands 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 Woodlands Academy had 4.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 21.9% 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 Woodlands Academy had 83 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 Woodlands Academy received £33,067 and spent £31,640 for each of its 82 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £62,000 (£754 per pupil).

Across all 18 schools of Community Inclusive Trust, income was £11,652 and spending £11,935 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 Spilsby · Lincolnshire local authority: places and applications

Woodlands Academy is part of Community Inclusive Trust, which runs 19 schools. The nearest others:

• Chapel St Leonards Primary School Skegness
• Boston Endeavour Academy Boston
• Carre's Grammar School Sleaford
• Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy Sleaford
• Billingborough Primary School Sleaford
• Osbournby Primary School Sleaford
• St Paul's Community Primary and Nursery School, Spalding Spalding
• Tulip Academy Spalding
• Caythorpe Primary School Grantham
• Newton Bridge Academy Grantham

What is Woodlands Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Woodlands Academy is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Woodlands Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Woodlands Academy was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Woodlands Academy have?

Woodlands Academy has 83 pupils on roll.

What age range does Woodlands Academy cover?

Woodlands Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Woodlands Academy's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 12.4, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Woodlands Academy?

Woodlands Academy is at Partney Road, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5EJ.