Ofsted: Good

Elms School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr John Dexter

corporate_fareKent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)

location_onDover, CT17 9PS

language Visit Website phone 1304201964

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

150

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Attainment 8

4.8

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GCSE Rank

#136 in Kent

#4,262 of 4,663 nationally

summarize

Elms School is a Foundation special school school in Dover, serving ages 5-16. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Elms School is a foundation special school in Dover, Kent, admitting pupils aged 5-16. It is part of Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT). The school has approximately 138 pupils on roll, of whom 88% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 4.8, placing the school #136 in Kent and #4,262 of 4,663 nationally. 0.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 9.2:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 97.4 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

4.8

Grade 5+ E&M

0.00%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.17

2024

Progress 8 Score

-1.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

4.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.12

2023

Progress 8 Score

-1.89

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

3.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.11

2022

Progress 8 Score

-2.86

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

0.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.07

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-2.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

2.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.03

2018

Progress 8 Score

-1.93

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

4.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.1

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

84%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 61%

Reading8% LA 74%

Writing0% LA 72%

Maths0% LA 70%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 60%England 61%

Reading13% LA 75% · Eng 74%

Writing0% LA 73% · Eng 72%

Maths0% LA 69% · Eng 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 58%England 60%

Reading0% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing0% LA 72% · Eng 71%

Maths0% LA 69% · Eng 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

LA -0.4

-9.2

Write

LA -0.2

-12.8 to -5.7

Maths

LA -1.2

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 67%England 65%

Reading12% LA 75% · Eng 73%

Writing0% LA 81% · Eng 78%

Maths0% LA 77% · Eng 79%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-7.4

Read

LA 0.0

-10.5 to -4.4

-11.8

Write

LA 0.1

-14.6 to -9.1

-12.4

Maths

LA -0.6

-15.5 to -9.4

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 65%

Reading18% LA 76%

Writing0% LA 80%

Maths12% LA 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-8.2

Read

LA 0.0

-11 to -5.4

-14.8

Write

LA 0.4

-17.5 to -12.1

-10

Maths

LA -0.5

-12.6 to -7.4

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

13 March 2023

Inspection Report

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09 October 2019

Inspection Report

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18 October 2017

Inspection Report

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14 January 2014

Inspection Report

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28 April 2009

Inspection Report

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07 June 2006

Inspection Report

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20 March 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2017-10-18

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-01-14

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

65.2%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

31.2%(43 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 138 pupils. During this period, there were 90 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 65.2%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	138	90	65.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	135	175	129.6%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	136	121	89.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	133	97	72.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	129	136	105.4%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	145	112	77.2%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	150	112	74.7%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	150	117	78.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	158	80	50.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	156	41	26.3%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	156	29	18.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	159	19	11.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	154	8	5.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	145	38	26.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	151	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	151	23	15.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	146	44	30.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	155	26	16.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	144	30	20.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	130	34	26.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	119	27	22.7%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	118	22	18.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	105	10	9.5%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	110	30	27.3%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	105	18	17.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	100	51	51.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 102 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 36 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

59.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

59.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

34.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree25%

agree17%

disagree25%

strongly disagree25%

don't know8%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree17%

agree25%

disagree17%

strongly disagree42%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree17%

agree17%

disagree33%

strongly disagree25%

not applicable8%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes100%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree25%

agree17%

disagree33%

strongly disagree25%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree17%

agree33%

disagree33%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree17%

agree25%

disagree42%

strongly disagree17%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree17%

agree25%

disagree42%

strongly disagree17%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree25%

agree33%

disagree8%

strongly disagree17%

don't know17%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

agree25%

disagree17%

strongly disagree33%

don't know25%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree17%

agree25%

disagree17%

strongly disagree33%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes50%

no50%

Elms School

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

Staffing

Teacher Turnover