Spa School Camberwell

Spa School Camberwell has recently been inspected for the first time since its opening in 2020, and the overall effectiveness of the school has been rated as good. The school provides a well-structured environment for its pupils, who all have special educational needs, particularly in communication and interaction. The majority of pupils demonstrate excellent behaviour and are well-supported by staff when managing their feelings. The curriculum is ambitious and addresses the social and communication needs of the pupils while promoting their academic achievement. Reading has been identified as a school priority, with resources available to support students in becoming fluent readers.

Strengths

• Effective support for pupils' social and communication needs
• Excellent behaviour and positive relationships between staff and pupils
• High-quality curriculum and implementation in subjects like mathematics
• Comprehensive personal development programs including PSHE
• Strong engagement with local libraries and community resources
• Effective safeguarding measures and staff training

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistencies in curriculum planning across some subjects
• Governance lacks clarity in responsibilities and oversight

In 2024–25 pupils at Spa School Camberwell attended 90.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 21.3% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Spa School Camberwell 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 Spa School Camberwell had 6.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 11.7% 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 Spa School Camberwell had 114 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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 Spa School Camberwell received £37,761 and spent £36,434 for each of its 113 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £731,000 (£6,469 per pupil).

Across all 2 schools of Spa Education Trust, income was £38,070 and spending £36,634 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 Southwark · Southwark local authority: places and applications

Spa School Camberwell is part of Spa Education Trust, which runs 2 schools. The nearest others:

• Spa School, Bermondsey London

What is Spa School Camberwell's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Spa School Camberwell is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

When was Spa School Camberwell last inspected by Ofsted?

Spa School Camberwell was last inspected in March 2023.

How many pupils does Spa School Camberwell have?

Spa School Camberwell has 114 pupils on roll.

What age range does Spa School Camberwell cover?

Spa School Camberwell for pupils aged 4 to 16.

What are Spa School Camberwell's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Spa School Camberwell?

Spa School Camberwell is at 150 Southampton Way, London, SE5 7EW.