Fox Wood Special School
Holes Lane, Woolston, Warrington, WA1 4LSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Fox Wood Special School is a special school in Warrington for ages 4 to 19. It is one of the 92 schools in Warrington. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in May 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 19 May 2026, report published 5 July 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Exceptional
- Curriculum and teaching
- Strong standard
- Achievement
- Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Exceptional
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Strong standard
- Early years
- Strong standard
- Post-16 provision
- Strong standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 May 2026
Pupils are welcomed to Fox Wood by staff with big smiles and open hearts. Daily, positive interactions help staff and pupils build remarkably strong bonds. This ensures that pupils' experience of school is happy and frequently joyful. Pupils flourish during their time at Fox Wood. From their varied starting points, pupils make small and consistent gains in their learning that amount to giant leaps over time. The progress that they make in their ability to communicate with others is often astonishing. Pupils learn to express their thoughts, wants and needs, which is the bedrock of the school's success. This enables pupils to shine and underpins the transformational impact of the school's work. Staff have created a culture of belonging. Pupils feel safe and know that they matter. Conflict between pupils, including bullying, is exceedingly rare. Pupils' behaviour reflects the school's emphasis on kindness and respect. Some pupils are 'kindness champions' and act as role models to others. Pupils' participation in learning develops impressively over time. High-quality teaching ensures that pupils become absorbed in learning. Pupils are eager to share the things they enjoy most about school, such as reading, drama and swimming. The school's support for pupils' holistic needs is exemplary. Pupils benefit from highly individualised packages of support that meet their educational, health and care needs. Pupils begin preparing for adulthood from the moment they join the school. They gain the skills to be increasingly independent and to advocate for themselves. Pupils value the school's extensive enrichment offer. They enjoy sporting and creative clubs, as well as frequent opportunities to be active within the local community. Pupils are proud to hold positions of responsibility, such as being members of the school council and eco committee.
What the school should improve
- Leaders and governors should ensure that governors' systems for supporting and challenging leaders are systematic to support further improvement across all aspects of the school's work.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
10 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
174 pupils on roll, with places for 78
Schools near Fox Wood Special School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woolston Brook School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 10.1 |
| Green Lane Community Special School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Birchwood School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Chaigeley School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 6.3 |
| Willow Tree Park | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Miss Lucinda Duffy
- Phone
- 01925811534
- Address
- Holes Lane, Woolston, Warrington, WA1 4LS
- Local authority
- Warrington
- URN
- 111496
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.