Shenstone School

Shenstone School is an all-through special school for pupils aged 2 to 19, all of whom have an EHC plan. It is part of The Kemnal Academies Trust and currently operates across three sites while expanding towards key stage 4. This was its first section 5 graded inspection, although it had a section 8 inspection in 2019. Inspectors found a safe, welcoming and highly ambitious school where staff know pupils' needs closely and use bespoke curriculums matched to EHC plan goals. Pupils are happy, motivated and well supported to communicate, develop independence and achieve well. Early years provision is exceptionally strong, behaviour and attitudes are excellent, and personal development prepares pupils well for adulthood and community life. Leadership, governance and trust support are effective, staff feel valued, and safeguarding arrangements are effective. No areas for improvement were identified in the report; all key judgements were outstanding.

Strengths

• Safe, welcoming and nurturing atmosphere that celebrates pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• High ambition for pupils with complex needs, with bespoke curriculums matched to EHC plan goals.
• Strong early years provision that gives children an exceptionally strong foundation.
• Consistent, well-embedded routines and vigilant staff who de-escalate tricky situations swiftly.
• A communication-rich environment that helps pre-verbal pupils find their voice using signs, symbols and technology.
• Effective early reading and phonics, with sensory activities, rhymes, songs and music making books accessible.
• Personal development curriculum builds independence, well-being, relationships and community access skills.
• Skilled specialists and therapists work closely with staff to focus on what pupils need to learn.
• Effective governance and trust support, with careful consideration of staff workload and well-being.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective.

In 2024–25 pupils at Shenstone School attended 91.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.6% 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, 1.9% of pupils at Shenstone 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 Shenstone School had 8.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 17.0% 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 Shenstone School had 240 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty.

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 Shenstone School received £56,523 and spent £33,317 for each of its 209 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £94,000 (£449 per pupil).

Across all 45 schools of The Kemnal Academies Trust, income was £8,501 and spending £8,452 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 Bexley · Bexley local authority: places and applications

Shenstone School is part of The Kemnal Academies Trust, which runs 45 schools. The nearest others:

• Royal Park Primary Academy Sidcup
• Welling School Welling
• Cleeve Park School Sidcup
• Cleeve Meadow School Sidcup
• East Wickham Primary Academy Welling
• Horizon Primary Academy Swanley
• Kemnal Technology College Sidcup
• Orchards Academy Swanley
• Gray's Farm Primary Academy Orpington
• Stapleford Abbotts Primary Academy Romford

What is Shenstone School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Shenstone School is Outstanding, from an inspection in September 2025.

When was Shenstone School last inspected by Ofsted?

Shenstone School was last inspected in September 2025.

How many pupils does Shenstone School have?

Shenstone School has 240 pupils on roll.

What age range does Shenstone School cover?

Shenstone School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

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

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

Where is Shenstone School?

Shenstone School is at 94 Old Road, Crayford, Kent, DA1 4DZ.