Spring School

Spring School is a small, inclusive school that inspectors found to be performing at the expected standard overall, with safeguarding standards met. The school opened in September 2023 and is part of the Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust; all 49 pupils have an education, health and care plan. Leaders have created a calm, caring and inclusive culture where pupils feel safe, valued and well supported. Pupils achieve well from their starting points, particularly disadvantaged pupils, and benefit from prompt interventions and a curriculum designed to prepare them for adult life. Behaviour is good, relationships are warm, and attendance is improving, although overall absence and persistent absence remain high. Personal development and wellbeing are strong, with a broad enrichment offer and specialist pastoral support. The main areas for improvement are in the academic curriculum: leaders need to identify and sequence key knowledge and skills more clearly in each subject so that learning builds progressively and older pupils are prepared for appropriate qualifications. Teachers should also consistently adapt learning and use questioning to deepen understanding, promote independence and maintain high expectations for all pupils.

Strengths

• Strong, inclusive culture with a clear sense of belonging for pupils and families.
• Warm, respectful relationships between staff and pupils create a calm, orderly environment.
• Pupils behave well, are kind to one another, and bullying or discrimination is rare.
• Attendance is improving and persistent absence is decreasing significantly through pupil-centred strategies.
• Pupils achieve well from their starting points, particularly disadvantaged pupils, with prompt targeted support.
• The curriculum is well structured and prepares pupils for adult life, with a particularly strong social curriculum.
• Teachers have secure subject knowledge and use retrieval practice to help pupils remember learning.
• Staff receive effective training, especially on emotional regulation and social development.
• Leaders know pupils and families well and use additional funding effectively for disadvantaged pupils.
• Governance and trust oversight provide an appropriate balance of support and challenge.
• A broad personal development curriculum includes PSHRE, enrichment, and leadership opportunities.
• Specialist pastoral support, including dog therapy and rap therapy, builds self-esteem and resilience.

Areas for Improvement

• Academic curriculum lacks clear identification and sequencing of key knowledge and skills in each subject.
• Older pupils are not yet consistently prepared for appropriate qualifications through progressive academic learning.
• Some teachers do not consistently adapt learning to meet individual needs.
• Questioning is inconsistently used to deepen understanding and promote independence.
• Expectations of what all pupils can achieve are not consistently high.
• Some pupils continue to need adult support and reassurance to engage with learning.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

• Richard Challoner School
• The Kingston Academy
• Tolworth Girls' School and Sixth Form

Spring School is part of Ambitious About Autism Schools Trust, which runs 2 schools. The nearest others:

• The Rise Free School Feltham

What is Spring School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Spring School last inspected by Ofsted?

Spring School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Spring School have?

Spring School has 55 pupils on roll.

What age range does Spring School cover?

Spring School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Spring School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Spring School?

Spring School is at 15 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7AB.