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OpenOfsted: School remains GoodURN 119046

Elms School

Foundation special school · Dover · CT17 9PS

Ages 5–16 · 131 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

4.8

Overall absence

20.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-05-10

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-1.41
−20+2
Attainment 84.8
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+0%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 0.1

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
94.0
Avg scaled score — maths
88.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
89.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence20.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)60.7%
Unauthorised4.3%
Authorised absence
16.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.3%
Enrolments in measure
140

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Pupils on roll
131
Boys / girls
115 / 16
Free school meals
79.4%
FSM pupils
104
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation special school

Age range

Ages 5–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)
Academy trust
Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)
Headteacher
Mr John Dexter

Location

Address
Elms Vale Road
Postcode
CT17 9PS
Town
Dover
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Dover
Constituency
Dover and Deal
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Special classes
Has Special Classes

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed foundation special school, Ages 5–16, in Dover, Kent, 131 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 79.4%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty.

Open schools in Dover
33
Academies among open schools in Dover
42% (14)
Open schools in CT17
10
Open schools in Kent LA
713

Nearby schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in DoverNear CT17

  • St Martin's School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dover · CT17 9LY · Kent

    Ages 4–11

    • KS254%
    • Absence4.2%
    • FSM29.0%
    • Demand1.00

    0.5 miles away

  • Astor Secondary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dover · CT17 0AS · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att828.6
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+9%
    • Absence15.7%

    0.5 miles away

  • Dover Grammar School for Boys

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Dover · CT17 0DQ · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att859.1
    • P80.5
    • EM5+80%
    • Absence6.6%

    0.6 miles away

  • Vale View Community School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dover · CT17 9NP · Kent

    Ages 2–11

    • KS248%
    • Absence7.7%
    • FSM64.4%
    • Demand1.00

    0.8 miles away

  • Priory Fields School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dover · CT17 0FS · Kent

    Ages 4–11

    • KS224%
    • Absence8.2%
    • FSM64.9%
    • Demand1.00

    0.9 miles away

  • Aycliffe Community Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Dover · CT17 9HJ · Kent

    Ages 4–11

    • KS236%
    • Absence8.8%
    • FSM62.2%
    • Demand1.00

    1.0 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Mr John Dexter
Telephone
01304201964
Website
http://www.elmsschool.org

Official links