Fieldgate School

Fieldgate School is a small independent specialist school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and autism, all of whom have EHC plans. Inspectors found it performs strongly overall: achievement, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing are all strong, while curriculum and teaching meet the expected standard. Safeguarding standards are met, and all independent school standards are met. Leaders have created a highly nurturing, inclusive 'school without walls' that re-engages pupils who have often struggled to attend elsewhere, improves attendance significantly, and prepares them well for their next steps. Notable strengths include the school's success in supporting pupils from very low starting points, its therapeutic and personalised provision, and the dedication of leaders and staff. Pupils develop confidence, life skills and positive behaviour, and parents and external professionals praise the difference the school makes. The main area for improvement is early writing: at times teachers do not provide effective enough support in the early stages of learning to write, so a minority of pupils do not develop early writing skills, including handwriting and spelling, as securely as they could. The school is run by Five Rivers Child Care Ltd and has a new headteacher appointed in March 2026. It operates mainly from two sites and can admit up to 45 pupils; 39 were on roll at inspection. The report confirms compliance with the independent school standards.

Strengths

• Supports pupils to achieve well from their individual starting points and EHC plan targets
• Transforms attendance for pupils who previously had little or no attendance
• Creates a highly effective inclusive culture across its provision
• Provides high-quality therapeutic, personalised learning and pastoral support
• Has dedicated, knowledgeable leadership and rigorous governance
• Places pupils' personal development and wellbeing at the heart of its work
• Develops pupils' confidence, independence, life skills and positive attitudes
• Employs skilled, well-trained staff who build warm and trusting relationships
• Works effectively with parents, local authorities and external professionals
• Meets safeguarding standards and all independent school standards consistently

Areas for Improvement

• Support for pupils in the early stages of writing, including handwriting and spelling, is not always effective enough, so a minority do not develop early writing skills as securely as they could.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Fieldgate 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

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What is Fieldgate School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Fieldgate School last inspected by Ofsted?

Fieldgate School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Fieldgate School have?

Fieldgate School has 43 pupils on roll.

What age range does Fieldgate School cover?

Fieldgate School for pupils aged 6 to 18.

Where is Fieldgate School?

Fieldgate School is at Mill Field Road, Fishlake, Doncaster, DN7 5GH.