Three Chestnuts
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 11-16 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Fen Road Holbeach Spalding PE12 8QD |
| Reference Number | 151553 |
Three Chestnuts is a small independent special school that has been judged to be performing at the expected standard overall, with personal development and wellbeing identified as a strong standard. This was the school's first standard inspection since it was registered in May 2025. The school caters for 15 pupils, all of whom have an education, health and care plan, and many have previously experienced disrupted or negative education. Pupils benefit from a warm, nurturing environment, a broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to individual needs, and a strong personal development programme that includes careers education and support for wellbeing. Safeguarding standards are met, and all independent school standards are met.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 11 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 72.73%
Girls: 27.27% |
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 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Expected standard |
| > Leadership & Governance | Expected standard |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Strong standard |
| > Achievement | Expected standard |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Expected standard |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Expected standard |
| > Inclusion | Expected standard |
| Last Report Date | 02 Jun 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 02 Jun 2026 | Standard inspection |
| 03 Apr 2025 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- Personal development and wellbeing provision is a significant strength
- Nurturing ethos with trusted adults assigned to each pupil
- Broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to individual starting points
- Effective reading and phonics support that improves fluency
- Strong careers education with visits to colleges and local businesses
- High expectations for behaviour with consistent reward and sanction systems
- Restorative approach to behaviour management that pupils value
- Skilful adaptation of learning to meet pupils' special educational needs
- Robust safeguarding culture where concerns are actively identified and managed
- Supportive transition programme that builds pupils' confidence
Areas for Improvement
- Teaching is not always sharply focused on important knowledge and vocabulary
- Communication between leaders and staff about priorities and expectations is not consistently effective
- Systems for collecting and monitoring pupils' progress and wellbeing data need increased rigour
- Some staff feel expectations are not made clear enough
| Name | Distance |
|
The Holbeach William Stukeley Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
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|
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|
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1.68 miles |
|
Fleet Wood Lane School
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|
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|
Gedney Church End Primary Academy
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|
The John Harrox Primary School, Moulton
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|
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|
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4.19 miles |
|
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4.47 miles |
|
Moulton Chapel Primary School
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4.68 miles |
|
Lutton St Nicholas Primary Academy
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4.94 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
University Academy Holbeach
Park Road, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 7PU |
1.3 miles |
|
Tudor Lodge Therapeutic School
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2.2 miles |