Hope Tree School

Hope Tree School is an independent special school for autistic girls, all of whom have an education, health and care plan, and it is the only school run by Hope Tree School Ltd. This was a material change inspection commissioned by the Department for Education to assess the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards if it changes its age range and maximum pupil numbers. Inspectors found that the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the material change is implemented. The proprietor body, which includes the current headteacher and head of pastoral care, has a strong understanding of the standards and applies them consistently, with pupils’ wellbeing at the centre of decision-making.

Strengths

• Proprietors understand the independent school standards well and apply them effectively
• Pupils’ wellbeing is prioritised in all decisions made by school leaders
• Clear layers of accountability and oversight, including an advisory board for safeguarding quality assurance
• Ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum with clearly identified end points and detailed schemes of work
• Post-16 curriculum is planned to include academic study, English and mathematics resits, careers and work experience
• Curriculum is broad and appropriately adapted, with priority given to English and mathematics
• Detailed PSHE and RSE curriculum covering careers, relationships, online and community safety
• Teachers understand pupils’ needs well and lessons are calm and purposeful
• Teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge and staffing is suitable for the requested change
• Bespoke assessment on arrival covers academic knowledge and wider personal skills
• Assessment information is used well to inform lessons, support plans and education, health and care plans
• Fundamental British values and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are promoted well
• Weekly off-site visits build pupils’ independence and life skills, including using public transport
• Safeguarding policy is suitable and concerns are dealt with rapidly and appropriately
• Safeguarding records are detailed and robust, and the single central record shows appropriate checks
• Health and safety and risk assessment policies are effective and well implemented
• External fire risk assessment has been carried out and recommendations acted on rapidly
• Appropriate pupil-to-staff ratios and consistently skilled, therapeutic-aligned support
• Robust pre-employment checks ensure the suitability of adults recruited to the school
• Suitable toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and medical facilities
• Multiple spaces meet pupils’ therapeutic and sensory regulation needs
• School site is well maintained, safe and accessible, with a detailed accessibility plan
• Suitable number of learning spaces for the proposed cohort increase
• All areas are well lit, including emergency lighting that is regularly checked
• Vast, well-organised outdoor space with equipment to support regulation

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Hope Tree School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% 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 South Cambridgeshire · Cambridgeshire local authority: places and applications

What is Hope Tree School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Hope Tree School is Good, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Hope Tree School last inspected by Ofsted?

Hope Tree School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Hope Tree School have?

Hope Tree School has 33 pupils on roll.

What age range does Hope Tree School cover?

Hope Tree School for pupils aged 7 to 19.

Where is Hope Tree School?

Hope Tree School is at Nursery House, Manor Farm, Impington, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9NG.