Minerva May School
Dovenby Hall, Balcombe Road, Horley, RH6 9UUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Minerva May School is a special school in Horley for ages 11 to 17. It is one of the 512 schools in Surrey. 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
- Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Strong standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 May 2026
This is a school that cares deeply about making a difference to pupils. They are nurtured and prepared for adult life well. Pupils benefit from a school that looks and feels different to what they have experienced in the past. As a result, pupils cannot believe their luck when they first start at Minerva May School. Pupils feel very safe and happy here. Consequently, most attend very well and for those who struggle, the support they receive soon means they enjoy coming to school in time. All pupils have education, health and care plans, which include social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils have typically experienced turbulent periods of education in the past and some have been out of education for several years. The nurturing, tranquil environment helps pupils feel calm and prepared for learning once again. Pupils behave well during lessons and social times. Some enjoy quiet time in the garden, while others actively participate in a game of football or basketball. Staff skilfully support pupils to manage friendship issues. Pupils say that bullying is not an issue for them here. The school’s values of collaboration, aspiration, resilience and empowerment underpin school life. The school mantra of ‘together we can’ is lived out by staff and pupils. Staff get to know pupils’ interests and understand what pupils need to thrive in learning. Staff adapt the school day and learning within the curriculum so that pupils receive the support they need. Pupils enjoy a wide range of learning, for example animal care, music production, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A range of activities out of school provides pupils with plenty of opportunities to explore the wider world in readiness for the future. Pupils successfully learn new knowledge and skills. They complete appropriate qualifications and accreditations.
What the school should improve
- The school should continue to strengthen the work of the advisory board so that it can consistently challenge and support the school's work more precisely.
Pupil numbers and mix
29 pupils on roll, with places for 70
Schools near Minerva May School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burstow Park School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard | Not published |
| Aurora Redehall School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 8.5 |
| Emerald Place Clinic School (EPCS) | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| Amberley Court School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Serenity School Crawley | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 11 to 17
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Melvin George
- Phone
- 01293222502
- Address
- Dovenby Hall, Balcombe Road, Horley, RH6 9UU
- Local authority
- Surrey
- URN
- 151489
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.