The Place Independent School

The Place Independent School is a special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, all of whom have education, health and care plans. It is performing well overall: safeguarding standards are met, all independent school standards are met, and the school is particularly strong in attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Pupils often join after difficult previous experiences, and staff are highly effective at helping them attend, regulate their behaviour, build relationships and feel safe. The school's inclusive and caring ethos is a notable strength. Leaders know pupils' needs in detail, support families and external agencies well, and provide strong pastoral care and enrichment, including trips and careers guidance. Staff morale is high, governance is effective, and pupils generally learn well and move on to positive next steps. Achievement and curriculum/teaching are judged at the expected standard rather than strong. The main areas for development are pupils' GCSE achievement, which has been less successful than leaders would like, and some pupils' understanding in aspects of mathematics and writing. Teaching of some elements of writing and mathematics is less proficient, and leaders should continue improving the teaching of foundational knowledge. Post-16 provision could not be graded because only two sixth-form students were on roll.

Strengths

• Highly effective support helps pupils with poor attendance improve substantially
• Strong, positive ethos helps pupils manage emotions and behaviour
• Remarkably inclusive environment removes barriers to learning
• Leaders understand pupils' needs thoroughly before they join
• Swift support and strong partnerships with parents and external agencies
• High-quality pastoral care builds confidence, resilience and self-worth
• Pupils feel safe and are well supported; bullying is prevented effectively
• Excellent personal development programme prepares pupils for adult life
• All pupils make positive next steps into employment, education or training
• Impressive enrichment includes world travel and extensive extra-curricular opportunities
• Strong careers advice and partnerships with businesses, colleges and universities
• Leaders provide effective support for disadvantaged pupils and children in care
• Staff morale is high and leaders support wellbeing and workload
• Governors hold leaders accountable and receive the information they need
• Reading support helps early-stage readers become fluent
• All pupils achieve five qualifications appropriate to their abilities by the end of secondary education

Areas for Improvement

• GCSE achievement has been less successful than leaders would like
• Some pupils have less well-developed understanding in some areas of mathematics and writing
• Teaching of some elements of writing and mathematics is less proficient
• Leaders should continue improving the teaching of foundational knowledge so achievement continues to improve
• Post-16 provision could not be graded because there was insufficient evidence, with only two sixth-form students on roll

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at The Place Independent School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is The Place Independent School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Place Independent School is Expected standard, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was The Place Independent School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Place Independent School was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does The Place Independent School have?

The Place Independent School has 68 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Place Independent School cover?

The Place Independent School for pupils aged 5 to 18.

Where is The Place Independent School?

The Place Independent School is at Hill Farm, Belvoir Road, Bottesford, NG13 0EA.