The Abbey School

The Abbey School demonstrates outstanding performance across all areas, including the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school provides a nurturing environment paired with high academic expectations, ensuring that all students, including those with special educational needs, are well-supported. Pupils are engaged and motivated, taking pride in their achievements and strong relationships within the school community. Vocational courses and extensive extracurricular opportunities further prepare pupils for success beyond school. This inspection marks the school's first formal inspection since converting to an academy special converter, continuing its legacy of excellence.

Strengths

• Exceptional quality of education with high academic expectations.
• Strong relationships and mutual respect between staff and pupils.
• Wide and varied curriculum that raises pupils' aspirations.
• Effective communication support for all pupils.
• Meticulous plans for holistic development complement academic achievement.
• Outstanding support for disadvantaged pupils to access enrichment opportunities.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Abbey School attended 94.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 14.5% 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, 5.7% of pupils at The Abbey School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Abbey School had 7.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 4.8% 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 The Abbey School had 171 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; 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 The Abbey School received £22,958 and spent £22,240 for each of its 157 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £218,000 (£1,386 per pupil).

Across all 16 schools of Weydon Multi Academy Trust, income was £8,210 and spending £8,089 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 Farnham · Surrey local authority: places and applications

The Abbey School is part of Weydon Multi Academy Trust, which runs 18 schools. The nearest others:

• The Ridgeway School Farnham
• Weydon School Farnham
• Farnham Heath End Farnham
• William Cobbett Primary School Farnham
• Crondall Primary School Farnham
• St Mark's Church of England Primary School Farnborough
• Beacon Hill Primary School Hindhead
• Rodborough Godalming
• The Sixth Form College Farnborough Farnborough
• Frimley CofE School Camberley

What is The Abbey School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Abbey School is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2024.

When was The Abbey School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Abbey School was last inspected in July 2024.

How many pupils does The Abbey School have?

The Abbey School has 171 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Abbey School cover?

The Abbey School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is The Abbey School?

The Abbey School is at Menin Way, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8DY.