Elms Bank

Elms Bank is performing exceptionally well as a newly established academy special school. Previously judged to be outstanding as Elms Bank Specialist Arts College, this first inspection highlighted its remarkable achievements across all areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. The school creates a supportive environment that includes and values every pupil, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and emphasizes high expectations, rich learning opportunities, and a strong sense of community. Students at Elms Bank benefit from a well-designed and ambitious curriculum that caters to their diverse needs, fostering their talents and interests. The school promotes a culture of well-being for both pupils and staff, ensuring that everyone's emotional and social needs are met. This commitment to inclusivity and personal development is further exemplified through a robust vocational program in the sixth form, which prepares students effectively for their future paths, including employment and further education.

Strengths

• Ambitious and well-designed curriculum tailored for diverse needs
• Exceptional support for students with SEND
• Strong focus on personal development and well-being
• High expectations leading to excellent pupil engagement and achievement
• Innovative teaching strategies fostering a love of learning
• Effective careers program preparing students for adulthood
• Outstanding staff support and recognition

In 2024–25 pupils at Elms Bank attended 88.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 32.2% 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, 6.1% of pupils at Elms Bank 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 Elms Bank had 8.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.3% 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 Elms Bank had 364 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 Elms Bank received £30,321 and spent £28,137 for each of its 350 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,671,000 (£4,775 per pupil).

Across all 6 schools of Oak Learning Partnership, income was £11,583 and spending £11,291 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 Bury · Bury local authority: places and applications

Elms Bank is part of Oak Learning Partnership, which runs 8 schools. The nearest others:

• Unsworth Primary School Bury
• Philips High School Manchester
• Hazel Wood High School Bury
• Fairfield Community Primary School Bury
• Holcombe Brook Primary School Bury
• Crosshill Special School Darwen
• Blackburn Central High School Blackburn

What is Elms Bank's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Elms Bank is Outstanding, from an inspection in October 2023.

When was Elms Bank last inspected by Ofsted?

Elms Bank was last inspected in October 2023.

How many pupils does Elms Bank have?

Elms Bank has 364 pupils on roll.

What age range does Elms Bank cover?

Elms Bank for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Elms Bank?

Elms Bank is at Ripon Avenue, Whitefield, Bury, Lancashire, M45 8PJ.