The Chalet School

The Chalet School is a special school for autistic pupils with EHC plans, part of the Brunel Academies Trust. Following significant changes since its last inspection in 2023, including an interim headteacher and a new academy improvement board, the school has been judged to be operating at the expected standard across all areas. Leaders have maintained a clear focus on pupils' individual needs, and the school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and achieve well. Safeguarding standards are met, and the school's culture of safeguarding is open and positive. Pupils benefit from a well-designed curriculum that is closely aligned to their starting points and EHC plan targets. Staff know pupils very well, and personalised support helps reduce barriers to learning and wellbeing. Attendance is consistently in line with or above the national average, and behaviour is positive with no bullying. The school's personal development offer, including enrichment activities and careers education, contributes strongly to pupils' growth and independence. However, the inspection identified some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching and the implementation of the school's communication strategy. These variances mean that some pupils do not consistently receive the high-quality provision intended. Leaders have been asked to refine the implementation of the communication strategy and ensure all staff have the knowledge and skills to deliver the agreed curriculum, teaching and assessment strategies consistently across all areas of learning.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture.
• Pupils achieve well through a curriculum precisely aligned to their starting points and EHC plan targets.
• Staff frequently check progress and use this to close gaps in communication, personal, social, emotional and physical skills.
• Attendance is consistently in line with or above the national average.
• Well-established routines help pupils arrive calm and happy, contributing to a settled atmosphere.
• Behaviour and attitudes to learning are positive, with no bullying.
• The curriculum is ambitious, well designed, and regularly refined to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.
• Inclusion is effective; leaders have a precise understanding of pupils' varied needs and starting points.
• Leadership is effective, with clear moral intent and strategic oversight that positively impacts pupils.
• Governance through the academy improvement board provides appropriate challenge and support.
• The provision for personal development and wellbeing is effective, with a well-structured and nurturing offer.
• Enrichment activities, including community visits, strongly support pupils' personal growth and independence.

Areas for Improvement

• There are some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching across the school.
• The implementation of the communication strategy varies, meaning some pupils do not benefit as frequently as intended.
• Staff do not consistently implement the school's agreed curriculum, teaching and assessment strategies to a high quality across all areas of learning.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Chalet School attended 93.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.0% 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 The Chalet 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 The Chalet School had 5.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 15.3% 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 Chalet School had 87 pupils, 98.9% 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 The Chalet School received £40,021 and spent £40,865 for each of its 87 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £58,000 (£671 per pupil).

Across all 8 schools of Brunel Academies Trust, income was £24,929 and spending £25,575 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 Swindon · Swindon local authority: places and applications

The Chalet School is part of Brunel Academies Trust, which runs 8 schools. The nearest others:

• Westlea Primary School Swindon
• Brimble Hill Special School Swindon
• Uplands School Swindon
• Churchward School Swindon
• Wyndham Park Infants' School Salisbury
• St Mark's CofE Junior School, Salisbury Salisbury
• Exeter House Special School Salisbury

What is The Chalet School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Chalet School is Expected standard, from an inspection in March 2026.

When was The Chalet School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Chalet School was last inspected in March 2026.

How many pupils does The Chalet School have?

The Chalet School has 87 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Chalet School cover?

The Chalet School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are The Chalet School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Chalet School?

The Chalet School is at Liden Drive, Liden, Swindon, SN3 6EX.