Fern House School and College

Fern House School and College is a small, newly registered independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, and this was its first standard inspection. Inspectors found a warm, safe and nurturing school where strong pastoral relationships, clear behaviour routines and expert regulation support help pupils re-engage with education and improve attendance. Safeguarding standards are met, and pupils generally behave well, feel valued and are positive about school. Careers guidance and wider experiences are also developing well. However, the quality of academic provision is not yet at the expected standard. The curriculum lacks coherence and ambition across subjects and key stages, teaching is inconsistent, expectations are too low, and assessment systems are too underdeveloped to identify starting points, gaps and progress. As a result, many pupils do not make sufficient progress, and pupils’ access to a broad and balanced curriculum is limited. Some independent school standards are not met, including those relating to curriculum, teaching, SMSC and leadership. Leaders have identified the right priorities and are beginning to act on them, but these changes are recent and not yet embedded. Governance has not held leaders to account effectively for curriculum and academic progress, and staff training is not yet closely aligned with the school’s improvement priorities. The school’s pastoral work is a clear strength, but academic improvement is urgent so that pupils are better prepared for their next steps.

Strengths

• Strong pastoral care and positive relationships help pupils feel safe, valued and accepted.
• Staff expertise in supporting pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs and regulation.
• Calm, orderly environment with high behaviour expectations and consistent routines.
• Significant improvements in attendance from pupils’ starting points.
• Safeguarding standards are met and there is an open culture of safeguarding.
• Effective careers guidance tailored to pupils’ options and next steps.
• Pupils are supported to become accurate, fluent readers.
• A range of trips, therapeutic activities and developing lunchtime clubs enrich pupils’ experience.
• Pupils show positive attitudes, pride and a sense of belonging, and bullying is rare.
• Parents speak positively about the school’s nurturing approach.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum lacks order, coherence and clear end points across subjects and key stages.
• Teaching is inconsistent and expectations of pupils’ academic outcomes are too low.
• Assessment and tracking systems are at an early stage and do not clearly identify gaps or progress.
• Many pupils do not make sufficient progress from their starting points.
• Pupils’ writing and numeracy gaps are not addressed as well as reading.
• Therapeutic activities reduce access to a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Personal, social, health and economic education lacks coherence.
• Pupils’ understanding of cultural diversity and other cultures and religions is limited.
• Some independent school standards relating to curriculum, teaching, SMSC and leadership are not met.
• Governance has not held leaders to account effectively for curriculum quality and academic progress.
• Staff professional development is not closely aligned to weaknesses in curriculum, teaching and assessment.
• Leaders’ improvement actions are recent and their impact is not yet evident.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Fern House School and College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Fern House School and College is Urgent improvement, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was Fern House School and College last inspected by Ofsted?

Fern House School and College was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does Fern House School and College have?

Fern House School and College has 16 pupils on roll.

What age range does Fern House School and College cover?

Fern House School and College for pupils aged 7 to 19.

Where is Fern House School and College?

Fern House School and College is at New Pale Road, Kingswood, Frodsham, WA6 6LB.