The Wherry School

The Wherry School is a single academy trust specialising in provision for pupils with autism, all of whom have an education, health and care plan. At the time of inspection, the school had 135 pupils on roll against a capacity of 100, making it significantly oversubscribed due to tribunal admissions. The school was judged to be performing at the expected standard across all domains, and safeguarding standards are met. Leaders demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the school and have correctly identified priorities. Pupils make appropriate progress from their individual starting points, with most achieving GCSEs in core subjects and moving on to college or sixth form. The school's approach of 'unconditional positive regard' and highly individualised support helps pupils become independent young adults.

Strengths

• Leaders have a comprehensive understanding of the school and correctly identify priorities
• Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture
• Pupils feel safe and valued by staff through the 'unconditional positive regard' approach
• Highly individualised curriculum and support for pupils with autism
• Most pupils achieve GCSEs in English, mathematics and science
• Attendance has risen over the last 4 years and is in line with similar schools
• Pupils learn to understand and manage their autism, leading to calm and focused learning
• Strong focus on basic knowledge including phonics and early mathematics
• Pupils who previously could not interact with others become independent and work in groups by end of key stage 4
• Comprehensive careers programme prepares pupils well for leaving school
• Innovative supported internships with a local employer lead to paid employment for first students
• Pastoral support is always available and pupils develop social skills
• Leaders ensure staff are well supported and workload is a key consideration
• Trustees ensure statutory responsibilities are met
• Pupil premium funding helps disadvantaged pupils progress similarly to others

Areas for Improvement

• Teaching of extended writing is inconsistent across the curriculum
• Support staff are not routinely deployed effectively during direct teaching time
• Some pupils do not get the practice they need to write at length
• Attendance, while improving, could still be higher
• Pupils with significant difficulties, particularly those new to the school with early verbal communication, are not yet making as established progress as others
• Programme of trips and activities to enhance primary curriculum is not as wide as secondary
• Optional activities beyond the core curriculum have lower participation rates

In 2024–25 pupils at The Wherry School attended 88.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.5% 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 Wherry 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 Wherry School had 4.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% 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 The Wherry School had 134 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 Wherry School received £31,938 and spent £31,123 for each of its 130 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £907,000 (£6,977 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.

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What is The Wherry School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Wherry School is Expected standard, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was The Wherry School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Wherry School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does The Wherry School have?

The Wherry School has 134 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Wherry School cover?

The Wherry School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are The Wherry School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 22.1, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

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

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

Where is The Wherry School?

The Wherry School is at 280 Hall Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2GB.