Soundwell Academy

Soundwell Academy is performing well overall, achieving a good rating across all inspected domains. The school has cultivated a positive environment where both pupils and staff foster strong, trusting relationships, contributing to a happy school atmosphere. The curriculum is focused on meeting the specific needs of pupils with social, emotional, and communication challenges, allowing them to progress academically and develop essential life skills. Staff are dedicated to each pupil's development, demonstrating a commitment to help them achieve recognized qualifications as they prepare for adulthood.

Strengths

• Strong, trusting relationships between staff and pupils.
• Effective management of pupils' social, emotional, and communication needs.
• Skilled teaching that fosters academic achievement and personal development.
• A well-structured curriculum aimed at preparing pupils for adulthood.
• Good training for staff on how pupils learn best.

Areas for Improvement

• Maintaining consistency across the expanding age range and subjects remains a challenge.

In 2024–25 pupils at Soundwell Academy attended 77.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 52.4% 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, 1.4% of pupils at Soundwell Academy 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 Soundwell Academy had 5.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.7% 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 Soundwell Academy had 141 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs.

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 Soundwell Academy received £37,029 and spent £35,641 for each of its 140 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,059,000 (£7,567 per pupil).

Across all 41 schools of Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, income was £8,730 and spending £8,608 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 South Gloucestershire · Bristol, City of local authority: places and applications

Soundwell Academy is part of Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, which runs 43 schools. The nearest others:

• Knowle DGE Academy Bristol
• Dundry Church of England Primary School Bristol
• St Mark's CofE School Bath
• Hayesfield Girls School Bath
• Beechen Cliff School Bath
• Clutton Primary School Bristol
• St Mary's CofE Primary School Bath
• High Littleton CofE VC Primary School Bristol
• Peasedown St John Primary School Bath
• St Julian's Church School Bath

What is Soundwell Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Soundwell Academy is Good, from an inspection in July 2023.

When was Soundwell Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Soundwell Academy was last inspected in July 2023.

How many pupils does Soundwell Academy have?

Soundwell Academy has 141 pupils on roll.

What age range does Soundwell Academy cover?

Soundwell Academy for pupils aged 5 to 18.

What are Soundwell Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Soundwell Academy?

Soundwell Academy is at St Stephens Road, Kingswood, BS16 4RL.