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OpenOfsted: Expected standardURN 113955

Winchelsea School

Community special school · Poole · BH12 4LL

Ages 4–19 · 248 pupils · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Overall absence

9.0%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-06-16

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • 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%
Avg scaled score — maths
96.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
90.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.0%
Unauthorised1.9%
Authorised absence
7.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.9%
Enrolments in measure
213

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 fill99%

248 pupils · 250 places

Pupils on roll
248
Boys / girls
171 / 77
School capacity
250
Capacity fill
248 / 250 (99%)
Free school meals
34.9%
FSM pupils
80
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 4–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Mr Geoff Cherrill

Location

Address
Guernsey Road, Parkstone
Postcode
BH12 4LL
Town
Poole
County
Dorset
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
District
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Constituency
Bournemouth West
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
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty; VI - Visual Impairment; OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; HI - Hearing Impairment; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty; SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
SEN unit
SEN unit places
250 on roll / 250 capacity

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 4–19, in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, 248 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 34.9%. SEN provision includes: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty; VI - Visual Impairment; OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability….

Open schools in Poole
48
Academies among open schools in Poole
75% (36)
Open schools in BH12
14
Open schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole LA
117

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in PooleNear BH12

  • Manorside Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Poole · BH12 4JG · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 3–11

    • KS238%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM33.3%

    0.2 miles away

  • The Lion Works School

    Other independent special school

    Poole · BH12 5AD · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–18

    • Att814.5
    • EM5+0%

    0.3 miles away

  • St Aldhelm's Academy

    Ofsted: Urgent improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Poole · BH12 4HS · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–16

    • Att835.1
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+23%
    • Absence13.6%

    0.4 miles away

  • The Quay School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy alternative provision converter

    Poole · BH12 4HU · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 5–18

    • FSM71.6%

    0.6 miles away

  • Heathlands Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bournemouth · BH11 8HB · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 3–11

    • KS218%
    • Absence7.7%
    • FSM70.1%

    1.0 miles away

  • Langside School

    Ofsted: Good

    Non-maintained special school

    Poole · BH12 5BN · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 2–19

    • Absence15.5%
    • FSM3.6%

    1.0 miles away

  • Livingstone Road Junior School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Poole · BH12 3DX · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 7–11

    • KS251%
    • Absence8.0%
    • FSM33.3%

    1.0 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Geoff Cherrill
Telephone
01202746240
Website
http://www.winchelseaschool.co.uk

Official links