James Marks Academy

James Marks Academy is a special school for pupils with SEND, most of whom have an EHC plan, and many join with significant gaps in learning, poor mental health or previous negative experiences of education. In its June 2026 full inspection, the school was judged to be at the strong standard in every graded area, and safeguarding standards are met. Leaders, trustees and staff have created a highly ambitious, nurturing and inclusive school where pupils achieve well academically, socially and emotionally from their different starting points. Pupils benefit from a well-designed curriculum, expert teaching and highly tailored support that addresses complex needs, including autism and mental health needs. Behaviour and attendance improve substantially, relationships are respectful, and pupils feel safe and valued. The school’s personal development, careers education and post-16 provision prepare pupils well for further study and adulthood, including progression to university. Parents are highly positive, and staff feel proud and well supported. The main next step is for leaders to sustain this strong work and continue refining priorities, particularly by promoting reading more widely across subjects beyond English. The school opened in temporary accommodation in 2023 and moved to its permanent site in 2024; it is part of the James Marks Academy Trust, and its post-16 provision will pause after this academic year before restarting in September 2027.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve well academically, socially and emotionally from their different starting points.
• GCSE and A-level progress is strong, including the first Year 10 cohort and post-16 students.
• Attendance improves significantly, including for pupils with a history of persistently low attendance.
• Pupils behave very well in a calm, caring environment with respectful relationships.
• The ambitious curriculum and expert teaching are tailored to complex SEND and mental health needs.
• The school has a deeply embedded inclusive culture that helps pupils overcome previous barriers.
• Disadvantaged pupils achieve well alongside their peers, including those known to children’s social care.
• Leadership and governance are highly ambitious, with effective trust challenge and support.
• Staff are proud to work at the school and benefit from relevant specialist training.
• Personal development, wellbeing and careers provision prepare pupils very well for adulthood.
• Post-16 provision is consistently well taught and supports independence, confidence and progression to university.
• Safeguarding is well embedded, and pupils feel safe and trust staff.
• Parents are highly positive about the difference the school makes to their children and families.

Areas for Improvement

• Reading is not yet promoted as widely across subjects beyond English as it could be.
• Leaders should continue refining their identified priorities to secure a consistently transformational impact for all pupils.

In 2024–25 pupils at James Marks Academy attended 75.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 65.1% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at James Marks Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 James Marks Academy had 5.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.7% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 James Marks Academy had 62 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

Pupils by main type of need

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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 James Marks Academy received £40,827 and spent £32,610 for each of its 51 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £782,000 (£15,336 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is James Marks Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for James Marks Academy is Strong standard, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was James Marks Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

James Marks Academy was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does James Marks Academy have?

James Marks Academy has 62 pupils on roll.

What age range does James Marks Academy cover?

James Marks Academy for pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is James Marks Academy?

James Marks Academy is at The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4RZ.