Coombe House School
Coombe House School is an independent special school in Shaftesbury for pupils aged 5 to 19. It has 145 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for Coombe House School is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.
Ofsted inspection: September 2025.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 5-19 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Coombe House School Donhead St Mary Salisbury Road Shaftesbury Wiltshire SP7 9LP |
| Phone | 01747449820 |
| Reference Number | 149019 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 145 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 77.93%
Girls: 22.07% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 13 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
Coombe House School has made notable progress and is now regarded as a good school, particularly excelling in personal development where it achieved an outstanding rating. The staff have built a positive and safe learning environment, where students feel valued and supported. The school's curriculum is ambitious and well-rounded, allowing pupils to engage meaningfully with their studies. However, the report highlights that the school needs to focus on enhancing teaching expertise across all subjects to ensure all students can learn effectively. Addressing gaps in pupil understanding has also been identified as an area needing improvement.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 01 Jul 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 01 Jul 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 20 Jun 2023 | Standard inspection: |
| 18 Oct 2022 | Additional inspection |
| 13 Apr 2022 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- Vibrant and positive learning environment.
- Strong and trusting relationships between staff and pupils.
- Bespoke support available for pupils when needed.
- Effective leadership and management with an ambitious vision.
- Broad and engaging curriculum that meets independent school standards.
- High emphasis on reading, with various supportive measures in place.
- Exceptional personal development programs that prepare pupils for future opportunities.
Areas for Improvement
- Teaching expertise is not fully developed in all subjects.
- Important information is not clearly communicated, impacting learning.
- Occasional failure to identify pupils' misconceptions before moving on.
In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Coombe House School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 99.3% 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.
| Name | Distance |
|
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School
Wincombe Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8PZ |
0.96 miles |
|
Ludwell Primary School
Coronation Drive, Ludwell, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9ND |
1.33 miles |
|
The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury
St James's Street, St James St, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8HQ |
1.64 miles |
|
Semley Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Semley, Semley School, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9AU |
2.4 miles |
|
Port Regis Preparatory School
Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury, SP7 9QA |
2.41 miles |
|
Motcombe CofE Primary School
Church Road, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9NT |
2.7 miles |
|
Wardour Catholic Primary School
Wardour, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6RF |
3.71 miles |
|
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0PF |
4 miles |
|
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School
Pheasant Way, Gillingham, SP8 4GG |
4.41 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Shaftesbury School
Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8ER |
1.06 miles |
|
Gillingham School
Hardings Lane, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QP |
5 miles |
All schools in Shaftesbury · Wiltshire local authority: places and applications
What is Coombe House School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for Coombe House School is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.
When was Coombe House School last inspected by Ofsted?
Coombe House School was last inspected in September 2025.
How many pupils does Coombe House School have?
Coombe House School has 145 pupils on roll.
What age range does Coombe House School cover?
Coombe House School for pupils aged 5 to 19.
Where is Coombe House School?
Coombe House School is at Coombe House School, Donhead St Mary, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Wiltshire, SP7 9LP.