Whitehall Academy

Whitehall Academy is a small independent special school in Rochdale for pupils aged 5 to 11, all of whom have education, health and care plans. This was its first standard inspection since registering with the DfE in March 2025, and it has been judged to be meeting the expected standard across every evaluation area. Leaders have created a calm, nurturing climate in which pupils who have previously struggled to attend school quickly settle, attend more regularly than before, and make positive progress from their individual starting points. Safeguarding standards are met, and the proprietor ensures all independent school standards are consistently satisfied.

Strengths

• Pupils settle quickly and attendance improves markedly after joining the school
• Warm, trusting relationships between staff and pupils foster a strong sense of belonging
• An ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum is carefully tailored to pupils' EHC plan targets
• Inclusion is effective, with needs identified promptly and personalised learning plans put in place
• Thoughtful learning environments, including sensory rooms and outdoor spaces, support regulation and social interaction
• Pupils' personal development is a clear strength, with rich enrichment, life-skills and community activities
• Staff are proud to work at the school and value leaders' attention to wellbeing and workload
• The proprietor provides effective strategic oversight and holds leaders to account for educational quality
• Safeguarding arrangements are secure and all independent school standards are met

Areas for Improvement

• The impact of targeted interventions in reading, writing and mathematics is not always sustained in classroom learning
• Some pupils do not develop the skills to apply or build on prior learning when engaging with the wider curriculum
• The newly introduced phonics programme is not yet implemented consistently for pupils at the early stages of reading
• Pupils do not always secure the necessary accuracy and fluency in handwriting, particularly letter formation

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Whitehall Academy 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 Rochdale · Rochdale local authority: places and applications

What is Whitehall Academy's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Whitehall Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Whitehall Academy was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Whitehall Academy have?

Whitehall Academy has 28 pupils on roll.

What age range does Whitehall Academy cover?

Whitehall Academy for pupils aged 5 to 11.

Where is Whitehall Academy?

Whitehall Academy is at 21 Whitehall Street, Rochdale, OL12 0LN.