Ashcroft School

Ashcroft School is an independent special school for 24 pupils, all of whom have education, health and care plans. Many pupils had previously been out of education for significant periods or had very low attendance. Following its June 2026 standard inspection, the school was judged to be at the expected standard across achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Safeguarding standards are met, and all independent school standards are met. Pupils progress well from their starting points, attendance has improved markedly, and behaviour is calm, respectful and positive. Leaders have created a broad, personalised and ambitious curriculum, and the school is effective at re-engaging pupils and supporting their emotional and behavioural needs. Parents speak highly of the care and positive difference the school makes, and staff feel proud and well supported. Personal development, enrichment, careers guidance and wellbeing support are notable strengths. However, the school is not yet exceptional. In some subjects, the essential knowledge and skills pupils should learn are not clearly set out, and teachers do not consistently check understanding well enough to address gaps. Teaching is also not always adapted swiftly and effectively enough to overcome pupils' barriers to learning. The next steps focus on strengthening curriculum planning, making assessment checks consistently effective, and continuing to develop staff expertise in adapting teaching.

Strengths

• Pupils progress well from their starting points across the curriculum
• Highly effective work to improve attendance for pupils who were previously out of education or persistently absent
• Calm, orderly and respectful school culture with clear routines and no bullying
• Broad, personalised and ambitious curriculum adapted to pupils' needs
• Effective support for reading, writing and mathematics, including vocabulary and spelling
• Nurturing, inclusive environment with strong relationships and effective re-engagement
• Secure oversight of alternative provision and thorough understanding of pupils' EHC plan needs
• Effective leadership and governance with clear improvement plans and successful curriculum, attendance and behaviour work
• Staff feel proud, supported and well trained in areas such as trauma-informed practice
• Strong personal development programme, including wellbeing support, enrichment, British values and careers guidance
• Positive engagement with parents and carers, who report improvements in pupils' happiness and settling at home
• Safeguarding standards met and all independent school standards met

Areas for Improvement

• In some subjects, essential knowledge and skills are not clearly set out, so the curriculum is not delivered as well as possible
• Teachers do not consistently check pupils' understanding well enough, so learning gaps are not always addressed effectively
• Teaching is not always adapted swiftly and effectively enough to address pupils' barriers to learning

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Ashcroft 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 Coventry · Warwickshire local authority: places and applications

What is Ashcroft School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Ashcroft School last inspected by Ofsted?

Ashcroft School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Ashcroft School have?

Ashcroft School has 22 pupils on roll.

What age range does Ashcroft School cover?

Ashcroft School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Ashcroft School?

Ashcroft School is at 54 Hayes Lane, Exhall, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV7 9BP.