Tulip Academy

Tulip Academy is a special all-through school for pupils aged 2 to 19, part of the Community Inclusive Trust and formed in 2022 from the merger of two special schools. This was its first routine inspection since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it took place while one site was undergoing planned building work. Inspectors found that pupils flourish in a kind, inclusive and highly specialist environment where staff tailor support closely to individual needs, and parents trust the school to understand and meet their children’s needs expertly.

Strengths

• Exceptionally tailored specialist support matched to pupils’ specific needs
• Highly personalised curriculum pathways adapted flexibly to individual profiles
• Strong communication systems that give every pupil a voice and build independence
• Exceptional behaviour and pastoral support that helps pupils regulate and stay engaged
• High-quality personal development, careers guidance and preparation for adulthood
• Rich community, work-placement and college partnerships supporting transitions
• Reading taught through diverse, sensory and phonics-based approaches
• EHC plan targets woven seamlessly into curriculum and teaching
• Highly skilled staff who adapt teaching and respond to pupils’ engagement
• Strong leadership and trust support for staff workload and wellbeing
• Effective safeguarding arrangements

In 2024–25 pupils at Tulip Academy attended 88.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 32.4% 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, 6.0% of pupils at Tulip 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 Tulip Academy had 8.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 18.7% 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 Tulip Academy had 238 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; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; 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 Tulip Academy received £23,136 and spent £21,142 for each of its 215 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £162,000 (£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 Spalding · Lincolnshire local authority: places and applications

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

• St Paul's Community Primary and Nursery School, Spalding Spalding
• Linchfield Academy Peterborough
• Billingborough Primary School Sleaford
• Boston Endeavour Academy Boston
• Osbournby Primary School Sleaford
• Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy Sleaford
• Carre's Grammar School Sleaford
• Greenfields Academy Grantham
• Newton Bridge Academy Grantham
• The Isaac Newton Primary School Grantham

What is Tulip Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Tulip Academy is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2025.

When was Tulip Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Tulip Academy was last inspected in July 2025.

How many pupils does Tulip Academy have?

Tulip Academy has 238 pupils on roll.

What age range does Tulip Academy cover?

Tulip Academy for pupils aged 2 to 19.

Where is Tulip Academy?

Tulip Academy is at Neville Avenue, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2EH.