Compass Community School Willow Park

  • Special
  • Independent
  • Ages 6 to 18
Ofsted: Outstanding

Willow Street, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2BUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Compass Community School Willow Park is a special school in Sowerby Bridge for ages 6 to 18. It is one of the 112 schools in Calderdale. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in September 2025.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 September 2025, report published 16 October 2025

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 September 2025

Pupils thrive and flourish in the inclusive environment of this warm and nurturing school. From the moment one walks through the door, pupils are kind and welcoming. Pupils are safe and well cared for. They settle extremely well into school in a short period of time. Pupils are highly respectful towards staff and visitors. The school's expectations for learning and behaviour are consistently high. All pupils who attend the school have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Pupils' personal development is a high priority. Staff make sure every pupil achieves their best. Pupils are confident, resilient and achieve well. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend regularly. They value spending time with friends and making new friends. They welcome the support from staff. This enables them to be successful and behave sensibly. Pupils are calm and settled at social times. There is a sense of belonging with regular opportunities to spend time together out of school. For example, pupils attend award ceremonies, the school prom and the choir perform at the local theatre. Pupils develop a secure knowledge of protected characteristics and fundamental British values. They understand the impact these have on their lives. Pupils recognise discrimination. They treat others with respect, regardless of difference or belief.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

9 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score5.9

5.9, 40.2 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths0%

0%, 45.4 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths0%

0%, 64.8 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc0%

0%, 40.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score0.31

0.31, 3.78 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

72 pupils on roll, with places for 105

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Compass Community School Willow Park

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Broadwood School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Ravenscliffe High School2 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 0.3
Stafford Hall School2 milesReport card: Expected standardNot published
Wood Bank School2 milesOfsted: Good0% met the expected standard
Brearley Hall School3 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Other independent special school
Sector
Independent
Age range
6 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Thornton
Address
Willow Street, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2BU
Local authority
Calderdale
URN
148059

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.