Battledown School
Harp Hill, Battledown, Cheltenham, GL52 6PZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Battledown School is a special school in Cheltenham for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 329 schools in Gloucestershire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 18 June 2024, report published 14 July 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 18 June 2024
Battledown Centre for Children and Families is a school where the child is at the heart of every decision that is made. Staff care deeply for the pupils. Relationships between staff and pupils are special. They know and understand each pupil's unique needs. As a result, pupils are happy and safe. The school has high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils behave well in class and during social times. Pupils are keen to learn and make strong progress from their different starting points. However, the school is aware that, at times as the cohorts change, the academic curriculum is not challenging enough for some pupils. The provision for pupils' wider personal development is strong. Pupils take pleasure in the rich opportunities on offer, such as riding for the disabled and trips on the Willow boat. These activities increase pupils' confidence and sense of well-being. Developing pupils' independence is threaded throughout the school day. For example, the installation of a working pelican crossing in the playground teaches pupils how to cross the road safely. The school provides significant pastoral support to pupils and their families. Parents are delighted with the school and appreciate all they do.
What the school should improve
- The RSE curriculum is in the early stages of implementation. This means that pupils do not have a deep enough understanding of important subject-specific knowledge. The trust and school must ensure that this work is fully in place so that the curriculum prepares pupils well for future learning.
- Pupils capable of following a more academic curriculum do not have sufficient opportunity to do so. As a result, their progress may be hindered. The trust and school must ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of these pupils.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
6 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
64 pupils on roll, with places for 65
Schools near Battledown School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lift Crescent View | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Bettridge School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Belmont School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Brook Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Not published |
| Alderman Knight School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 10.3 |
School details
- School type
- Academy special converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- SAND ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Headteacher Darren Heatley
- Phone
- 01242525472
- Address
- Harp Hill, Battledown, Cheltenham, GL52 6PZ
- Local authority
- Gloucestershire
- URN
- 147562
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.