The Springboard Project

The Springboard Project is performing well overall, achieving a 'Good' rating in most areas, with outstanding performance in personal development. The school has high expectations for its pupils, providing a supportive environment where they feel welcomed and valued. The curriculum is tailored to meet the varied needs of students, particularly those with significant gaps in their knowledge, which has led to many achieving positive outcomes. However, some concerns are noted regarding the oversight of curriculum delivery in a few subjects, which may hinder full student achievement.

Strengths

• High expectations and ambitions for student achievement.
• Exceptional curriculum promoting personal development.
• Strong support and care for pupils and their families.
• Positive attitudes towards learning among pupils.
• Effective measures leading to improved attendance and behaviour.
• Abundant opportunities for community engagement and life skills.

Areas for Improvement

• Inadequate oversight of curriculum implementation in a few subjects.
• Learning activities in some subjects do not solidify knowledge retention.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Springboard Project attended 51.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 92.9% 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, 2.1% of pupils at The Springboard Project 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 Springboard Project had 15.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.7% 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 Springboard Project had 155 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 Springboard Project received £30,914 and spent £27,083 for each of its 141 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,109,000 (£7,863 per pupil).

Across all 7 schools of New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, income was £26,842 and spending £25,065 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 Oldham · Oldham local authority: places and applications

The Springboard Project is part of New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, which runs 8 schools. The nearest others:

• Hollinwood Academy Oldham
• New Bridge School Oldham
• Samuel Laycock School Ashton-Under-Lyne
• Spring Brook Academy Oldham
• Thomas Ashton School Hyde
• Heywood Academy Rochdale
• Hawthorns School Hyde

What is The Springboard Project's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Springboard Project is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was The Springboard Project last inspected by Ofsted?

The Springboard Project was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does The Springboard Project have?

The Springboard Project has 155 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Springboard Project cover?

The Springboard Project for pupils aged 14 to 19.

Where is The Springboard Project?

The Springboard Project is at 2 Medtia Square, Phoenix Street, Oldham, OL1 1AN.