CEWE School

CEWE School is an independent special school where all pupils have education, health and care plans and special educational needs and/or disabilities. Many pupils join part-way through their education after disrupted schooling and significant gaps in early development. Inspectors found that pupils achieve very well from their starting points, make rapid gains in communication, reading and mathematics, and are well prepared for the next stages of their education. Safeguarding standards are met. The curriculum is precisely designed and consistently taught, with learning carefully adapted to pupils' individual communication needs. Inclusion is a notable strength: leaders understand pupils deeply, go beyond their EHC plans, and act as strong advocates for pupils and families. Leadership and governance are effective, staff are highly trained and well supported, and pupils' personal development and wellbeing are exceptionally well provided for. Pupils behave extraordinarily well, attendance is improving, and pupils benefit from a wide range of enriching experiences. The main area for development is attendance monitoring. Leaders recognise that they do not check attendance as carefully as they could and have made recent changes to refine their approach. The next step is to continue strengthening the monitoring of pupils' absences so that attendance continues to improve over time. All independent school standards are met, and there are no other significant concerns identified in the report.

Strengths

• Pupils make rapid progress from their starting points and achieve very well.
• Pupils quickly develop communication skills, including non-verbal methods, sign language, and simple words and phrases.
• Pupils learn phonics and begin reading simple words and sentences.
• The curriculum is precisely sequenced with clear steps in learning.
• Teaching is consistently strong and carefully adapted to pupils' individual communication needs.
• Inclusion is highly effective, with support that goes beyond pupils' EHC plans.
• Leaders and governors have high expectations and provide effective support and challenge.
• Staff receive extensive, high-quality professional development and are proud to work at the school.
• Personal development and wellbeing provision is exemplary, including safety, emotional regulation and relationships.
• Pupils behave extraordinarily well and treat each other with care and respect.
• Attendance is improving, supported by a warm and welcoming school culture.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
• Pupils access a rich range of experiences that broaden their horizons and prepare them for future independence.

Areas for Improvement

• Leaders do not check attendance as carefully as they could.
• Monitoring of pupils' absences needs further strengthening to inform actions.
• Attendance requires continued improvement over time.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at CEWE 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.

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What is CEWE School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for CEWE School is Expected standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was CEWE School last inspected by Ofsted?

CEWE School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does CEWE School have?

CEWE School has 39 pupils on roll.

What age range does CEWE School cover?

CEWE School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

Where is CEWE School?

CEWE School is at St Catherine's Vicarage, Catherine Terrace, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN1 3JW.