Penny Field School

Penny Field School, which serves students aged 2 to 19 with complex needs, is performing well overall, achieving a 'Good' rating in most categories, with 'Outstanding' ratings in behaviour and attitudes, as well as personal development. The school prides itself on creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment, where high expectations and clear routines contribute to positive student behaviour and engagement. Parents appreciate the range of opportunities provided for their children, including community integration and enrichment activities that foster independence and confidence.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils promote a supportive learning environment.
• Well-sequenced curriculum tailored to students' needs across different learning pathways.
• High priority on communication and language development.
• Effective integration of therapeutic support into daily activities.
• Pupils show resilience and positive attitudes towards school.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent approach to the teaching of phonics leads to challenges in starting reading journeys.

In 2024–25 pupils at Penny Field School attended 80.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 54.0% 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 Penny Field 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 Penny Field School had 8.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 17.8% 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 Penny Field School had 71 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; 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 Penny Field School received £33,413 and spent £31,822 for each of its 69 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £121,000 (£1,761 per pupil).

Across all 25 schools of Wellspring Academy Trust, income was £12,764 and spending £12,663 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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All schools in Leeds · Leeds local authority: places and applications

Penny Field School is part of Wellspring Academy Trust, which runs 25 schools. The nearest others:

• Ebor Gardens Primary Academy Leeds
• Victoria Primary Academy Leeds
• Bramley Park Academy Leeds
• Springwell Leeds Academy Leeds
• Elements Primary School Leeds
• Green Meadows Academy Leeds
• The Forest School Knaresborough
• Forest Moor School Harrogate
• Parkside School Bradford
• Joseph Norton Academy Huddersfield

What is Penny Field School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Penny Field School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Penny Field School last inspected by Ofsted?

Penny Field School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Penny Field School have?

Penny Field School has 71 pupils on roll.

What age range does Penny Field School cover?

Penny Field School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Penny Field School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Penny Field School?

Penny Field School is at Tongue Lane, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4QD.