Treetops Free School

Treetops Free School has demonstrated effective overall performance, receiving a 'Good' grade in most areas, and 'Outstanding' in behaviour and attitudes. The school offers a nurturing environment where pupils have a strong sense of belonging and are encouraged to express themselves. The tailored curriculum pathways successfully meet the diverse needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), allowing for significant personal development and independence. However, there are opportunities for improvement in ensuring that curriculum plans are precise, which could further enhance pupils' learning experiences and outcomes.

Strengths

• Strong nurturing community that ensures pupils feel safe and supported.
• High levels of respect and kindness among pupils.
• Well-thought-out curriculum tailored to diverse needs.
• Effective communication strategies for non-verbal pupils.
• Exemplary attitudes to learning reflected in pupils’ work.
• Strong focus on personal development and preparing pupils for their future.
• Effective safeguarding measures in place.

Areas for Improvement

• In some subjects, curriculum plans lack precision in detailing how knowledge should be built.

In 2024–25 pupils at Treetops Free School attended 92.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 17.9% 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, 3.9% of pupils at Treetops Free 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 Treetops Free School had 8.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 19.5% 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 Treetops Free School had 163 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; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 Treetops Free School received £30,946 and spent £28,109 for each of its 154 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £921,000 (£5,981 per pupil).

Across all 2 schools of Treetops Learning Community, income was £30,916 and spending £27,680 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 Grays · Thurrock local authority: places and applications

Treetops Free School is part of Treetops Learning Community, which runs 2 schools. The nearest others:

• Treetops School Grays

What is Treetops Free School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Treetops Free School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Treetops Free School last inspected by Ofsted?

Treetops Free School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Treetops Free School have?

Treetops Free School has 163 pupils on roll.

What age range does Treetops Free School cover?

Treetops Free School for pupils aged 4 to 16.

What are Treetops Free School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Treetops Free School?

Treetops Free School is at Treetops Approach, Grays, Essex, RM16 2WU.