Orion School

Orion School is an independent school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, many of whom arrive after disrupted education and with significant barriers to learning. Safeguarding standards are met, and inspectors found inclusion and personal development to be at the expected standard. Staff know pupils well, build trusting relationships, and provide strong pastoral support, careers guidance, work experience and wider opportunities. Pupils feel safe, behave well, and parents are highly positive about the school's impact. However, achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance all need attention. Too many pupils are absent, and attendance analysis is not precise enough to target support well. Teaching is not consistently adapted to pupils' starting points, assessment and feedback are not always precise, and gaps in learning are not addressed effectively, including for pupils with SEND. As a result, some pupils do not make the progress they could. Independent school standards are not met in the quality of education, welfare, health and safety, and quality of leadership and management. There are not always enough trained first aid staff, curriculum oversight is not yet effective, and leaders' systems for embedding priorities need strengthening. Leaders recognise these issues, are working with an external partner, and the proprietors show capacity to secure improvement. Overall, the school's caring ethos and personal development are clear strengths, but teaching, attendance and compliance require sustained improvement.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, and pupils feel safe and cared for.
• Staff build strong, trusting relationships and know pupils' needs well.
• Inclusion is effective for disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND and those known to social care.
• Personal development is central, with a well-planned programme relevant to pupils' lives.
• Pupils learn how to stay safe, manage relationships and understand rights and responsibilities.
• A wide range of wider opportunities includes visits, sport, creative projects and work experience.
• Careers guidance is accurate and timely, helping pupils make realistic next-step plans.
• Pupils behave well, understand expectations and respond positively to staff support.
• Bullying is rare and dealt with quickly and effectively.
• Staff are proud to work at the school and value support from leaders and the proprietor.
• Parents and carers are highly positive about the difference the school makes.
• Proprietors provide effective support and have the capacity to secure improvements.

Areas for Improvement

• Achievement needs attention; some pupils do not make effective progress over time.
• Gaps in pupils' understanding remain and are not addressed effectively.
• Pupils absent for prolonged periods are not given enough opportunity to catch up with missed learning.
• Too many pupils are absent from school.
• Attendance analysis is not used effectively to identify which strategies improve attendance.
• Teaching does not consistently take account of pupils' starting points.
• Assessment information is not always used precisely to adapt learning.
• Feedback is not always precise enough, so errors sometimes remain unaddressed.
• The curriculum is not consistently delivered effectively for all pupils, including those with SEND.
• Leaders' systems for embedding curriculum and teaching priorities are not yet effective.
• There are not always enough trained staff to administer first aid, including off-site.
• Independent school standards are not met in quality of education, welfare/health/safety, and leadership/management.

In 2025–26, 95.0% of pupils at Orion School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 5.0% 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

All schools in Birmingham · Birmingham local authority: places and applications

What is Orion School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Orion School is Needs attention, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was Orion School last inspected by Ofsted?

Orion School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Orion School have?

Orion School has 20 pupils on roll.

What age range does Orion School cover?

Orion School for pupils aged 13 to 16.

Where is Orion School?

Orion School is at 1-39, Western Road, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 7QD.