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OpenOfsted: Strong standardURN 100469

Samuel Rhodes MLD School

Community special school · London · N5 2EG

Ages 11–19 · 130 pupils · Islington

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

Overall absence

10.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-05-12

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExceptional
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)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 absence10.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)34.5%
Unauthorised1.5%
Authorised absence
9.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.8%
Enrolments in measure
110

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).

Capacity fill93%

130 pupils · 140 places

Pupils on roll
130
Boys / girls
89 / 41
School capacity
140
Capacity fill
130 / 140 (93%)
Free school meals
72.8%
FSM pupils
67
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 11–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Mrs Cerys Normanton

Location

Address
11 Highbury New Park, Islington
Postcode
N5 2EG
Town
London
Local authority
Islington
District
Islington
Constituency
Islington North
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

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

SEN types
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 community special school, Ages 11–19, in London, Islington, 130 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, special school. Free school meals: 72.8%. SEN provision includes: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty.

Open schools in London
1846
Academies among open schools in London
23% (427)
Open schools in N5
9
Open schools in Islington LA
72

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in LondonNear N5

  • Canonbury Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    London · N1 2UT · Islington

    Ages 3–11

    • KS263%
    • Absence6.0%

    0.3 miles away

  • Highbury Fields School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Community school · Secondary

    London · N5 1AR · Islington

    Ages 11–18

    • Att851.4
    • P80.4
    • Absence9.0%

    0.3 miles away

  • Drayton Park Primary School

    Ofsted: Improved significantly

    Community school · Primary

    London · N5 1PJ · Islington

    Ages 3–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence5.1%

    0.4 miles away

  • The Courtyard Islington

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Free schools special

    London · N7 8LT · Islington

    Ages 13–19

    • Att80.7
    • P8-3.2
    • Absence13.1%

    0.4 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Cerys Normanton
Telephone
02077047490
Website
www.samuelrhodes.islington.sch.uk

Official links