Minerva May School
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 11-17 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Dovenby Hall Balcombe Road Horley Surrey RH6 9UU |
| Reference Number | 151489 |
Minerva May School is a newly established independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, all of whom have education, health and care plans. This was its first standard inspection, following registration in February 2025. Inspectors found the school is performing at a strong standard overall. It has created a calm, nurturing and highly personalised environment where pupils feel safe, happy and attend well. Attendance and behaviour are a particular strength, with well-embedded systems and proactive support helping pupils improve their attendance over time. Inclusion is also strong: staff know pupils deeply, work closely with families and external agencies, and adapt the curriculum skilfully to meet complex needs. Personal development is a golden thread, with an impressive focus on nurturing independence, high-quality pastoral care and a wide range of enriching opportunities. Achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance are all judged at the expected standard. Pupils achieve well given their starting points, develop essential skills in reading, writing and mathematics, and gain suitable accreditations. The curriculum is logically sequenced, aspirational and bespoke, and teaching engages pupils well. Leaders have provided clear direction and a committed staff team in a short space of time, and the proprietor ensures independent school standards are met. The school has accurately identified next steps for improvement. The main area for development is the advisory board, which does not yet consistently hold leaders to account. The school is already taking action to strengthen this. Safeguarding standards are met, and the report highlights a positive culture where staff feel valued and pupils are well prepared for their next steps.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 29 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 55.17%
Girls: 44.83% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 12 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Expected standard |
| > Leadership & Governance | Expected standard |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Strong standard |
| > Achievement | Expected standard |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Strong standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Expected standard |
| > Inclusion | Strong standard |
| Last Report Date | 19 May 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 19 May 2026 | Standard inspection |
| 26 Nov 2025 | Additional inspection |
| 18 Feb 2025 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- High priority on attendance with well-embedded tracking and proactive interventions.
- Calm, orderly and positive environment where pupils feel happy and want to learn.
- Pupils build confidence and resilience, and get on well with each other and staff.
- Discrimination is not tolerated and is dealt with quickly and effectively.
- Staff understand pupils deeply and use personalised support such as sensory rooms and regulation tools.
- Precise identification of pupils' individual academic and personal needs from transition onwards.
- Ambitious, manageable targets based on EHCPs, with careful monitoring and adjustment.
- Strong partnerships with parents, carers, social care and the virtual school.
- Highly trained staff skilfully adapt the curriculum and teaching to meet complex needs.
- Highly effective personal development programme with 'nurturing independence' as a golden thread.
- High-quality pastoral care that uses every moment as a teaching opportunity.
- Impressive framework for nurturing independence and tracking pupils' participation in school life.
- All-encompassing PSHE programme covering healthy relationships, British values, safety and cultural diversity.
- Wide range of enriching opportunities including animal care, STEM, art, music and careers education.
- Pupils achieve well given their starting points, with good development in reading, writing and mathematics.
Areas for Improvement
- The advisory board does not currently hold leaders to account as consistently as it could.
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