Holbrook School for Autism

Holbrook School for Autism has been assessed as a good school overall in its first inspection since becoming an academy under the Esteem Multi-Academy Trust. The school provides a safe and supportive environment where pupils are eager to attend and feel respected. Staff build positive relationships with students, offering tailored support which enables pupils to manage their emotions effectively and achieve personal targets outlined in their education health and care plans (EHC plans). Leaders are focused on ensuring that each pupil can succeed and actively engage with parents and external agencies to facilitate positive outcomes for students. While the school demonstrates robust strengths, there are areas that require attention, particularly in the consistency of curriculum delivery across some subjects. The inspectors noted that not all staff feel adequately supported in managing challenges, particularly concerning pupil behaviour, and highlighted that the available qualifications for post-16 students lack ambition. Leaders are encouraged to cultivate a more supportive atmosphere for staff while ensuring a broader range of qualifications that meet educational aspirations.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils that foster a supportive learning environment.
• Individualised support that helps pupils communicate their needs effectively.
• Effective management of pupils' emotions and behaviour.
• Well-structured pathways for pupils to follow based on their individual needs.
• Improved quality of the reading curriculum with a strong phonics programme.
• Pupils engage in enriching experiences that support their development.
• Trust leaders and governors are well-informed and committed to school improvement.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent implementation of the curriculum in some subjects.
• Limited range of qualifications and accreditations available for pupils.
• Notable minority of staff feel unsupported by leaders regarding behaviour management and workload considerations.

In 2024–25 pupils at Holbrook School for Autism attended 89.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 22.7% 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, 1.3% of pupils at Holbrook School for Autism 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 Holbrook School for Autism had 6.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.5% 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 Holbrook School for Autism had 170 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 Holbrook School for Autism received £37,924 and spent £38,224 for each of its 160 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £564,000 (£3,527 per pupil).

Across all 9 schools of Esteem Multi-Academy Trust, income was £26,475 and spending £26,077 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 Belper · Derbyshire local authority: places and applications

Holbrook School for Autism is part of Esteem Multi-Academy Trust, which runs 9 schools. The nearest others:

• Bennerley Fields School Ilkeston
• St Clare's School Derby
• Stanton Vale School Nottingham
• Bracken Hill School Nottingham
• The Fountains High School Burton-On-Trent
• The Fountains Primary School Burton-On-Trent
• Elmsleigh Infant & Nursery School Swadlincote
• Peak School High Peak

What is Holbrook School for Autism's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Holbrook School for Autism is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.

When was Holbrook School for Autism last inspected by Ofsted?

Holbrook School for Autism was last inspected in September 2023.

How many pupils does Holbrook School for Autism have?

Holbrook School for Autism has 170 pupils on roll.

What age range does Holbrook School for Autism cover?

Holbrook School for Autism for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Holbrook School for Autism's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Holbrook School for Autism?

Holbrook School for Autism is at Portway, Holbrook, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 0TE.