Longridge School
Levedale Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire, Penkridge, ST18 9ALOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Longridge School is a special school in Penkridge for ages 7 to 18. It is one of the 451 schools in Staffordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 27 February 2024, report published 18 April 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 27 February 2024
Pupils are happy and well cared for at Longridge School. Staff work closely with individual pupils and take time to understand their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils have positive and trusting relationships with staff and know that everyone wants the best for them. Pupils are generally calm and well behaved. Staff use behaviour support plans effectively to help manage pupils' individual needs. This helps staff spot when pupils need additional time to regulate their emotions. Pupils enjoy sitting and talking with staff at social times. Pupils study a well-balanced curriculum. Those who are still at the early stages of learning to read are given the right support to help them learn their phonics and read with greater fluency. Pupils enjoy their learning in many other areas, particularly food technology. Many pupils enjoy the additional opportunities the school provides. This includes celebrating different events such as Burns Night, internet safety day and Shrove Tuesday. The school is rightly proud of the money that pupils have raised for different charities. Parents and carers are extremely positive about the school. As one parent commented, 'We really value the school's approach and the support and care they give. They definitely go beyond our expectations.'
What the school should improve
- Pupils are not given sufficient opportunity to practise their writing skills. This means that some pupils continue to struggle with letter formation, spelling and constructing sentences. The school should provide more time for pupils to practise their writing to help develop their literacy skills.
- The school is in the process of developing its careers education, information, advice and guidance. Some aspects are relatively new, and pupils' understanding of pathways beyond school is more limited. The school should further embed and enhance its careers provision so that pupils have more opportunities to engage with the world of work and explore more potential pathways for when they leave school.
Pupil numbers and mix
13 pupils on roll, with places for 20
Schools near Longridge School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Haven School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 12.3 |
| Heather Field School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 7.9 |
| Robin's Nest School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Little Kinvaston School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Achieve Beyond Schools, Stafford | 4 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 7 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Carol Harvey
- Phone
- 01785556710
- Address
- Levedale Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire, Penkridge, ST18 9AL
- Local authority
- Staffordshire
- URN
- 148734
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.