Courtlands School

Courtlands School demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting the needs of its pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. There is an emphasis on safeguarding, ensuring students feel safe and supported in their learning environment. The school has made notable progress in improving attendance, behaviour, and personal development, fostering a positive atmosphere that encourages pupils to engage in their education and community. Despite these strengths, challenges remain in curriculum development and persistent absenteeism, which leaders are actively working to address.

Strengths

• Strong safeguarding culture ensuring pupils feel safe.
• Effective support for pupils with special educational needs.
• Proactive parental involvement in supporting pupil development.
• Emphasis on communication and preparation for adulthood.
• Positive school atmosphere contributing to personal development.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum development is still at an early stage.
• Persistent absenteeism is an increasing concern.
• Governors lack detailed understanding of the impact of school's work on different pupil groups.

In 2024–25 pupils at Courtlands School attended 92.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 26.4% 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, 13.0% of pupils at Courtlands 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 Courtlands School had 6.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.7% 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 Courtlands School had 101 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; 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 Courtlands School received £34,652 and spent £34,171 for each of its 108 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £187,000 (£1,728 per pupil).

Across all 18 schools of Reach South Academy Trust, income was £10,522 and spending £10,515 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 Plymouth · Plymouth local authority: places and applications

Courtlands School is part of Reach South Academy Trust, which runs 19 schools. The nearest others:

• Pilgrim Primary Academy Plymouth
• Stuart Road Primary Academy Plymouth
• Mount Tamar School Plymouth
• Stoke Damerel Primary Academy Plymouth
• Drake Primary Academy Plymouth
• Millbay Academy Plymouth
• High Street Primary Academy Plymouth
• Morice Town Primary Academy Plymouth
• UTC Plymouth Plymouth
• Marlborough Primary Academy Plymouth

What is Courtlands School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Courtlands School is Needs attention, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Courtlands School last inspected by Ofsted?

Courtlands School was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Courtlands School have?

Courtlands School has 101 pupils on roll.

What age range does Courtlands School cover?

Courtlands School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Courtlands School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Courtlands School?

Courtlands School is at Widey Lane, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5JS.