Paternoster School

Paternoster School, which has not been previously inspected under section 5 of the Education Act 2005, is performing well overall, receiving a 'Good' rating in all inspected categories. The school, part of the SAND Academies Trust, has created a nurturing environment where strong relationships and high expectations help students thrive academically and personally. Positive feedback from pupils and parents indicates that the school is making a meaningful difference in their lives, with students feeling safe, engaged, and prepared for adulthood. However, some curriculum implementations need more time for consistency, which indicates room for further improvement.

Strengths

• Strong relationships among staff and pupils create a supportive learning environment.
• High expectations set by staff contribute to meaningful learning experiences.
• Effective processes for improving attendance.
• Curriculum is well-designed to meet a wide range of student needs.
• Strong focus on early reading promotes better communication skills.
• Personal development is promoted exceptionally well through a broad curriculum.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistencies in curriculum implementation can impede student learning.
• Recent changes in leadership and policy have not yet shown full impact.

In 2024–25 pupils at Paternoster School attended 90.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 16.7% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Paternoster 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 Paternoster School had 5.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 36.4% 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 Paternoster School had 66 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty.

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 Paternoster School received £35,530 and spent £36,363 for each of its 66 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £188,000 (£2,841 per pupil).

Across all 8 schools of Sand Academies Trust, income was £17,654 and spending £18,975 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 Cirencester · Gloucestershire local authority: places and applications

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

• Sladewood Academy Stroud
• Belmont School Cheltenham
• Battledown School Cheltenham
• Willow Primary Academy Gloucester
• Calton Primary School Gloucester
• Tredworth Infant and Nursery Academy Gloucester
• The Milestone School Gloucester

What is Paternoster School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Paternoster School is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was Paternoster School last inspected by Ofsted?

Paternoster School was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does Paternoster School have?

Paternoster School has 66 pupils on roll.

What age range does Paternoster School cover?

Paternoster School for pupils aged 2 to 17.

What are Paternoster School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Paternoster School?

Paternoster School is at Watermoor Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1JR.