Langside School
Langside Avenue, Parkstone, Poole, BH12 5BNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Langside School is a special school in Poole for ages 2 to 19. It is one of the 111 schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2020.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 26 February 2020, report published 16 March 2020
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 20 May 2025
Langside school is a very special place. It provides a first-rate holistic experience for pupils and caters for their special educational needs and/or disabilities and complex medical needs very well. Skilled staff meticulously timetable each day so that pupils have consistent and safe routines. Staff provide individualised curriculums that are rich and broad and facilitate pupils' curiosity and engagement superbly. Pupils thrive here. Preparation for pupils' next steps and their increased independence is prioritised right from the start. A wide range of well-thought-out experiences, including regular music, creative arts and outings to external clubs widen their experiences. The oldest pupils work towards the school's 'Our personal transition (OPT) award', which is carefully crafted to develop pupils' physical, social and emotional targets. For example, pupils embark on adventurous activities, a residential experience and charity work. The school prides itself on listening to parents and carers and seeking the views of the pupils. The school maximises pupils' attendance, for example by ensuring that health and medical care and paediatric clinics happen on site. Parents are unanimous in noting the distinct difference the school's coordinated approach makes every day to their child's and their family's lives. They love the warm atmosphere and the sincere care and ongoing support they receive from the whole staff team.
What the school should improve
- The school's work to develop its relationships and sex and health education policy and set out clearly the intended curriculum outcomes is not complete. As a result, it is more difficult for the school to have the explicit oversight of what is taught and when and know how well pupils are progressing through all aspects of this curriculum. The school and governors need to ensure that the relationships and sex and health education policy includes everything it should, the associated curriculum sets out what pupils are expected to know, and it is implemented in full.
Pupil numbers and mix
32 pupils on roll, with places for 44
Schools near Langside School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchelsea School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 0.1 |
| The Lion Works School | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 3.3 |
| Victoria Education Centre | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Linwood School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| The White House School | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Non-maintained special school
- Sector
- Other
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Jonathan Seaward
- Phone
- 01202518635
- Address
- Langside Avenue, Parkstone, Poole, BH12 5BN
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- URN
- 133740
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.