The Orchards

The Orchards School is showing significant improvement since its last inspection, with evidence suggesting enhanced performance across all areas. The school prioritizes a supportive environment where pupils feel valued and included, which contributes to their positive experiences and successful learning outcomes. It places a strong emphasis on a personalised curriculum tailored to the complex needs of its students, many of whom have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The staff's dedication to professional development and tailored support for pupils has led to excellent achievements, particularly in communication skills and overall pupil independence.

Strengths

• Exceptional pupil behaviour and effective staff support.
• Strong relationships between staff and pupils.
• Highly personalized curriculum aligned with individual needs.
• Effective communication skills development for pupils.
• Noteworthy focus on improving pupil attendance.
• Supportive and positive school culture.
• Wide range of experiences promoting pupils' wider development.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Orchards attended 93.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 18.2% 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, 0.7% of pupils at The Orchards 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 The Orchards had 8.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 27.4% 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 The Orchards had 148 pupils, 93.2% 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; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; 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 The Orchards received £25,987 and spent £24,784 for each of its 141 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £192,000 (£1,359 per pupil).

Across all 11 schools of Bright Futures Educational Trust, income was £10,531 and spending £10,103 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 Trafford · Trafford local authority: places and applications

The Orchards is part of Bright Futures Educational Trust, which runs 11 schools. The nearest others:

• Barton Clough Primary School Manchester
• Acre Hall Primary School Manchester
• Lime Tree Primary Academy Sale
• Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Altrincham
• Stanley Grove Primary Academy Longsight
• Elmridge Primary School Altrincham
• Cedar Mount Academy Gorton
• Melland High School Gorton
• Rushbrook Primary Academy Manchester
• Marton Primary Academy and Nursery Blackpool

What is The Orchards's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Orchards is Good, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was The Orchards last inspected by Ofsted?

The Orchards was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does The Orchards have?

The Orchards has 148 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Orchards cover?

The Orchards for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are The Orchards's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Orchards?

The Orchards is at Audley Avenue, Stretford, Greater Manchester, M32 9TG.