The Link School

The Link School is a special academy for pupils aged 4 to 19, all of whom have an education, health and care plan, and it is part of the Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. This was its first routine inspection since the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspectors found a school where pupils’ well-being is central, staff are aspirational and relationships are purposeful. Pupils’ resilience, engagement and attendance improve over time, and behaviour and personal development are particular strengths. Curriculum and personal and social development are ambitious and well ordered, with tailored goals and strong reading support. Staff use multi-agency expertise to adapt learning and help pupils manage communication, behaviour and emotions, so classrooms are calm and purposeful. The school is especially effective at helping pupils who have had negative or disrupted education to re-engage, including through individual attendance plans and peer activities. Enrichment, trips, responsibilities and sixth-form enterprise and vocational experiences prepare pupils well for adulthood. The main area for improvement is accreditation. Although many pupils and sixth-form students leave with some qualifications, the pathways to work towards and achieve accreditations are underdeveloped, which limits the gains some of the oldest pupils make. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, and trust and school leaders have effective monitoring and professional development systems.

Strengths

• Pupils’ well-being is central and staff are aspirational for what pupils can achieve.
• Behaviour and attitudes are outstanding, with pupils feeling safe and incidents reducing over time.
• Personal development is outstanding, with wide enrichment, clubs, performances and responsibilities.
• Subject curriculums and the personal and social development curriculum are ambitious and well ordered.
• Staff tailor learning goals and activities to pupils’ needs and interests.
• Reading is prioritised, including regular checks, tailored sessions and systematic phonics teaching.
• The multi-agency team gives staff expertise to support communication, behaviour and well-being.
• The school is highly effective at helping pupils re-engage with education and improve attendance.
• Sixth-form students follow personalised programmes and apply learning in real contexts such as enterprises and college courses.
• Trust and school leaders have effective monitoring and an embedded culture of professional development.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Areas for Improvement

• Accreditation pathways are underdeveloped, limiting opportunities for pupils and sixth-form students to gain qualifications.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

• Carew Academy
• Harris Academy Sutton
• Wallington County Grammar School
• Wallington High School for Girls
• Wilson's School

The Link School is part of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, which runs 12 schools. The nearest others:

• Carew Academy Wallington
• Addington Valley Academy Croydon
• Nightingale Community Academy London
• Dysart School Surbiton
• St Philip's School Chessington
• Bedelsford School Kingston Upon Thames
• Unified Academy Dorking
• The PRIDE Academy West Drayton
• Brantridge School Haywards Heath
• Arbour Vale School Slough

What is The Link School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Link School is Good, from an inspection in July 2025.

When was The Link School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Link School was last inspected in July 2025.

How many pupils does The Link School have?

The Link School has 167 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Link School cover?

The Link School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

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

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

Where is The Link School?

The Link School is at 138 Croydon Road, Beddington, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 4PG.