Great Oaks School

Great Oaks School is an exceptional institution that provides an outstanding quality of education for its students. The school supports pupils with complex learning difficulties, ensuring they thrive both academically and socially through a carefully adapted curriculum tailored to their individual needs. Strong relationships between staff and students foster a sense of belonging, leading to remarkable pupil behavior and a nurturing environment. The ambitious educational approach and commitment to personal development prepare students well for life beyond school, emphasizing skills such as communication and independence.

Strengths

• Outstanding quality of education across all domains
• Exceptional relationships between staff and pupils
• Carefully tailored curriculum that meets diverse needs
• Strong emphasis on personal development and extra-curricular opportunities
• Highly skilled staff effectively support pupils' communication skills
• Collaborative leadership culture valuing staff contributions

In 2024–25 pupils at Great Oaks School attended 89.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 29.2% 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, 6.0% of pupils at Great Oaks 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 Great Oaks School had 6.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.3% 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 Great Oaks School had 369 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 Great Oaks School received £27,318 and spent £26,784 for each of its 352 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £444,000 (£1,261 per pupil).

Across all 2 schools of Specialist Schools Trust Ltd, income was £29,737 and spending £29,618 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 Southampton · Southampton local authority: places and applications

Great Oaks School is part of Specialist Schools Trust Ltd, which runs 2 schools. The nearest others:

• Rosewood Free School Southampton

What is Great Oaks School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Great Oaks School is Outstanding, from an inspection in January 2024.

When was Great Oaks School last inspected by Ofsted?

Great Oaks School was last inspected in January 2024.

How many pupils does Great Oaks School have?

Great Oaks School has 369 pupils on roll.

What age range does Great Oaks School cover?

Great Oaks School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Great Oaks School?

Great Oaks School is at Vermont Close, Off Winchester Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 7LT.