Courtlands Independent Special School

Courtlands Independent Special School underwent a material change inspection in June 2026, commissioned by the Department for Education, to assess its likely compliance with the independent school standards if it increases its maximum pupil numbers to 80. The inspection focused on leadership and management, welfare, health and safety, suitability of staff, and premises. The overall outcome is that the school is likely to meet the relevant standards, with no graded judgements provided as this was a compliance check. The school is an independent special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 with anxiety, emotional wellbeing, and self-regulation needs, all of whom have education, health and care plans. The report highlights several strengths. Leadership is effective, with a headteacher bringing relevant expertise and a chair of governors providing oversight. Pupils feel safe and happy, and safeguarding arrangements are robust, with well-trained staff and strong external partnerships. The school site has been developed to include two additional classrooms, and premises are well-resourced with therapeutic spaces, extensive grounds, and appropriate health and safety systems. Recruitment checks and the single central record are accurately maintained, and staffing levels are sufficient for the proposed expansion. The main area for development is record-keeping of safeguarding actions. While actions taken are timely, records are inconsistent in detail, and leaders recognise the need for more detailed and promptly completed central records. Additionally, leaders have identified that external quality assurance would add value and plan to implement this from the new academic year. No other significant concerns were identified, and the school is well positioned to accommodate the increased pupil numbers.

Strengths

• Effective leadership with relevant expertise and governor oversight.
• Pupils feel safe, secure, and happy, with positive relationships with staff.
• Comprehensive safeguarding training and timely actions to support pupils and families.
• Well-maintained and safe school site with appropriate health and safety systems.
• Robust recruitment processes and accurately maintained single central record.
• Sufficient and well-trained staffing to meet proposed increased capacity.
• Well-resourced premises with additional classrooms, therapeutic spaces, and extensive grounds.
• Appropriate risk assessments for site areas and individual pupil needs.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent detail in record-keeping of leaders' safeguarding actions.
• Limited external quality assurance to verify provision effectiveness.

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Courtlands Independent Special 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 Worthing · West Sussex local authority: places and applications

What is Courtlands Independent Special School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Courtlands Independent Special School is Good, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was Courtlands Independent Special School last inspected by Ofsted?

Courtlands Independent Special School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Courtlands Independent Special School have?

Courtlands Independent Special School has 56 pupils on roll.

What age range does Courtlands Independent Special School cover?

Courtlands Independent Special School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Courtlands Independent Special School?

Courtlands Independent Special School is at 37 Parklands Avenue, Goring By Sea, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 4NG.