Southview School

Southview School has received its first inspection and has been rated as outstanding across all key areas. The school is described as a joyous place where pupils exhibit inspirational behavior and are well-supported to achieve significant educational gains. Leaders demonstrate high ambition for their pupils, tailoring the curriculum to meet the diverse needs of students with complex physical and neurological disabilities. The provision for all age groups, including early years and sixth form, is highly praised, with exceptional support systems in place to ensure smooth transitions for pupils who may need to return to school after prolonged absences.

Strengths

• Strong leadership with a clear vision for the curriculum.
• Exceptional progress in communication and language skills.
• Highly effective adaptation of the curriculum to meet different needs.
• Pupils demonstrate exemplary behaviour and mutual respect.
• Successful online learning program for pupils unable to attend school.
• Comprehensive support leading to high levels of pupil well-being.
• Commitment to high aspirations and personal development for all pupils.

In 2024–25 pupils at Southview School attended 80.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 59.7% 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 Southview 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 Southview School had 9.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.8% 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 Southview School had 106 pupils, 93.4% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; physical 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 Southview School received £35,720 and spent £32,527 for each of its 93 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £461,000 (£4,957 per pupil).

Across all 4 schools of Hope Learning Community, income was £25,835 and spending £23,640 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 Witham · Essex local authority: places and applications

Southview School is part of Hope Learning Community, which runs 4 schools. The nearest others:

• Chatten Free School Rivenhall
• Lexden Springs School Colchester
• Market Field School and College Colchester

What is Southview School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Southview School is Outstanding, from an inspection in October 2022.

When was Southview School last inspected by Ofsted?

Southview School was last inspected in October 2022.

How many pupils does Southview School have?

Southview School has 106 pupils on roll.

What age range does Southview School cover?

Southview School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

Where is Southview School?

Southview School is at Conrad Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2TA.