Alchemy School

Alchemy School is an independent special school for pupils aged 11–19, most of whom have EHC plans and social, emotional and mental health needs, often after extended disruption to their previous education. The proprietor body is L & P Educational Services Ltd, and the head of school also chairs the proprietor board. Safeguarding standards are met, and inspectors confirmed that all Independent School Standards are met. Personal development and wellbeing are a clear strength: pupils are helped to rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and develop positive relationships. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance are all at the expected standard. Pupils generally make suitable progress, gain qualifications matched to their next steps, and move on to college, training or supported internships. The curriculum has widened and is logically sequenced and adapted to pupils’ needs. Teaching is delivered well, with helpful training for staff and targeted support in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils feel safe, valued and accepted; behaviour is positive; and lessons and social times are calm and purposeful. Careers education and the personal development curriculum are thoughtfully planned, including work on citizenship, relationships, online safety and independent living. Collaboration with other professionals and effective use of funding are strengths. The main areas for further work are attendance and leaders’ impact-checking. Some pupils still do not attend as regularly as they should, and leaders should continue to strengthen their attendance strategy and take swift action for individuals or groups where needed. Leaders should also sharpen the systems they use to check the impact of their work consistently across all areas. Inspectors could not gather enough evidence to evaluate post-16 provision. The school is operating with more pupils than its current registration and uses two unregistered alternative provisions, although inspectors concluded it still meets the Independent School Standards.

Strengths

• Personal development and wellbeing are a clear strength and sit at the heart of the school’s work.
• Staff provide highly personalised support based on pupils’ individual circumstances and needs.
• The personal development curriculum is broad, thoughtfully planned and responsive to emerging themes.
• Pupils learn to respect others and develop a strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Careers education prepares pupils well for college, training and supported internships.
• Leaders prioritise attendance and pupils attend more regularly over time.
• Behaviour is positive, with calm and purposeful lessons and well-organised social times.
• The curriculum is wider, logically sequenced and carefully adapted to pupils’ starting points.
• Teachers deliver the curriculum well and receive helpful training.
• Pupils receive targeted support in reading, writing and mathematics and catch up quickly.
• Pupils feel valued, understood and accepted, and staff take great care to know them well.
• Collaboration with other professionals is a strength, including work with Virtual Schools.
• Funding is used effectively to provide the right support at the right time.
• Leaders care deeply, are ambitious and have tackled priorities from the previous inspection.
• Staff wellbeing is taken seriously, workload is manageable and staff feel valued.

Areas for Improvement

• Some pupils’ attendance remains too low, and leaders should continue to strengthen and act on their attendance strategy.
• Leaders need to strengthen the systems and processes they use to check the impact of their work consistently across all areas.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Alchemy School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Alchemy School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Alchemy School last inspected by Ofsted?

Alchemy School was last inspected in August 2026.

How many pupils does Alchemy School have?

Alchemy School has 58 pupils on roll.

What age range does Alchemy School cover?

Alchemy School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Alchemy School?

Alchemy School is at 105 Nelson Road, Gillingham, ME7 4LT.