Heltwate School
Heltwate, North Bretton, Heltwate School, Peterborough, PE3 8RLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Heltwate School is a special school in Peterborough for ages 4 to 18. It is one of the 87 schools in Peterborough. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2014.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 26 November 2014, report published 18 December 2014
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 May 2024
Pupils are well supported at Heltwate school. Before joining, some pupils faced difficulties in other schools. They feel settled and safe here. There are clear routines in place throughout the day that help pupils to feel secure. The positive relationships between the staff and pupils help to create the happy environment that exists throughout the school. When they join Heltwate, pupils are placed on appropriate learning pathways based on their different stages of development. Within their pathway, they are supported to do well. Some pupils struggle to manage their behaviour. In the main, adults are skilled at helping pupils to re-engage with their learning. Adults have high expectations for what pupils should achieve. They help them to meet their potential both emotionally and academically. Many pupils gain qualifications that prepare them well for life after school. Adults carefully consider what pupils need and enjoy. Through a wide range of carefully planned activities, pupils build their resilience and independence. They take trips to the supermarket, either on foot or by bus. They enjoy walks around the park, and many also take part in residential trips. This builds their confidence and brings them lots of pleasure.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils who are on the school's more academic pathway do not also have targets that are matched to the national curriculum. Adults prioritise supporting these pupils to meet their EHC plan outcomes. However, there are occasions when the breadth and ambition of the national curriculum is not always reflected in what pupils learn on a day-to-day basis. The school needs to ensure that pupils who can access aspects of the national curriculum are consistently supported to do this so they achieve as well as they are able to.
- A minority of pupils in the school display particularly challenging behaviours. When these pupils become dysregulated, some staff do not feel confident in managing their behaviour. The school needs to ensure that it provides appropriate support to all staff so they feel confident in managing the behaviour of all pupils at the school.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
17 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
211 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Heltwate School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Beeches Independent School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| Marshfields School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 0.8 |
| Medeshamstede Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 2.6 |
| NeneGate | 2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 0% met the expected standard |
| Lime Academy Orton | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Alison Ashworth
- Phone
- 01733262878
- Address
- Heltwate, North Bretton, Heltwate School, Peterborough, PE3 8RL
- Local authority
- Peterborough
- URN
- 110948
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.