The Windmill School

The Windmill School is a special school for autistic pupils, all of whom have education, health and care plans. It opened in September 2023 and is part of Barnet Special Education Trust. This inspection found the school to be performing at a strong standard across all areas, with safeguarding standards met. Leaders have created a calm, inclusive and purposeful environment where pupils, many of whom arrive with histories of anxiety, disrupted education and very low attendance, are well supported to re-engage with learning and develop confidence and independence. Pupils make notable and often rapid progress from their different starting points. Teaching is highly flexible and responsive, and the curriculum is carefully designed to meet individual needs while preparing pupils for adult life. Attendance and behaviour are well managed through personalised approaches, and pupils' personal development and wellbeing are prioritised. Leadership and governance are clear, purposeful and well informed, with staff feeling well supported. The school's many strengths are recognised, and leaders have appropriate plans to further enhance pupils' achievements and experiences.

Strengths

• Pupils make notable and often rapid progress from their different starting points.
• Teaching is closely matched to individual needs, ensuring disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND achieve well.
• The school's personalised approach to attendance and behaviour is highly effective in helping pupils re-engage.
• The curriculum is carefully designed to meet pupils' individual needs and prepare them for adult life.
• Inclusion is at the heart of the school, with extensive support for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
• Leadership is clear, purposeful and focused on meeting pupils' needs, with staff feeling well supported.
• Governance is knowledgeable and experienced, providing effective oversight and support.
• Pupils' personal development and wellbeing are prioritised, helping them grow in confidence and independence.
• The school provides a wide range of experiences that support personal growth and preparation for adulthood.
• Pupils feel safe, accepted and develop trusting relationships with staff.

Areas for Improvement

• Attendance remains lower for some pupils with significant needs, although there is notable improvement for many.
• Leaders are considering how assessment information is shared more fully with parent carers.
• Leaders are prioritising how different routes into education, employment or training are identified and shared more fully with families.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Windmill School attended 86.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 51.1% 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 The Windmill School 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 Windmill School had 4.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.2% 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 Windmill School had 63 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 The Windmill School received £47,543 and spent £45,082 for each of its 40 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £78,000 (£1,941 per pupil).

Across all 2 schools of Barnet Special Education Trust, income was £38,943 and spending £38,684 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 Barnet · Barnet local authority: places and applications

The Windmill School is part of Barnet Special Education Trust, which runs 2 schools. The nearest others:

• Oak Lodge School London

What is The Windmill School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Windmill School is Strong standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was The Windmill School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Windmill School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does The Windmill School have?

The Windmill School has 63 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Windmill School cover?

The Windmill School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

What are The Windmill School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Windmill School?

The Windmill School is at Moxon Street, Barnet, EN5 5TS.