Ofsted: Outstanding

Mulberry Bush School

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

personMrs Jessica Hooper

location_onWitney, OX29 7RW

language Visit Website phone 1865300202

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

cake

Age Range

5-12

summarize

Mulberry Bush School is a Non-maintained special school school in Witney, serving ages 5-12. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

article

School Summary

Mulberry Bush School is a non-maintained special school in Witney, Oxfordshire, admitting pupils aged 5-12. The school has approximately 21 pupils on roll, of whom 57% are eligible for free school meals.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.0 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

24 September 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

28 March 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

16 January 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

06 November 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

01 October 2008

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

06 March 2008

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

02 November 2004

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-09-24

S5 Inspection EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2018-01-16

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2012-11-06

S5 Inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2008-03-06

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

0.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.0%(0 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 21 pupils. During this period, there were 0 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.0%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	21	0	0.0%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	18	0	0.0%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	20	0	0.0%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	21	0	0.0%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	19	0	0.0%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	22	0	0.0%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	22	0	0.0%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	23	0	0.0%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	25	0	0.0%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	24	0	0.0%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	22	0	0.0%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	25	0	0.0%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	22	0	0.0%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	20	0	0.0%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	24	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	24	0	0.0%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	23	0	0.0%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	28	0	0.0%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	28	0	0.0%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	24	0	0.0%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	25	0	0.0%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	22	0	0.0%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	23	0	0.0%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	27	0	0.0%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	26	3	11.5%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	26	1	3.8%	3.1%

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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 21 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

86.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

79.0%Positive

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

65.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree29%

agree57%

disagree7%

don't know7%

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

strongly agree57%

agree36%

don't know7%

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

strongly agree57%

agree21%

not applicable21%

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 agree71%

agree29%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree50%

agree14%

disagree29%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree50%

agree50%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree64%

agree36%

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

strongly agree57%

agree29%

don't know14%

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

strongly agree71%

agree21%

disagree7%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree71%

agree21%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes100%

Mulberry Bush School

School Summary

Academic Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

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.