Sidestrand Hall School
Cromer Road, Sidestrand, Cromer, NR27 0NHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Sidestrand Hall School is a special school in Cromer for ages 7 to 19. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 25 February 2015, report published 19 March 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 7 November 2023
Sidestrand Hall School is a welcoming, inclusive community. Pupils quickly settle into school life. This is because adults take the time to know pupils' complex individual special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The well-planned curriculum builds pupils' knowledge, confidence and independence. Pupils and students in the sixth form are well prepared for life beyond the school gates. Positive relationships between staff and pupils feature throughout the school. Staff know pupils' unique backgrounds. As a result, staff support pupils well with their behaviour and emotions. Pupils have someone to talk to if they find aspects of school life hard. Pupils make friends and play well together. Staff deal with the sometimes tricky behaviour swiftly and effectively. This means that, overall, pupils behave well and can focus on school life. Visits, trips and clubs enhance pupils' positive school experience. Pupils enjoy cooking, gardening and outdoor learning within the extensive grounds. Pupils learn about relevant topics such as budgeting, safe travel and healthy living. Trips into the community help pupils put their learning into action. Pupils get high-quality careers advice and guidance. This supports pupils' transition into appropriate destinations when they leave the school.
What the school should improve
- In some areas of the curriculum, assessment is not fully in place. It does not always match the key knowledge that pupils are learning. This prevents the school from fully understanding gaps in pupils' knowledge or evaluating what is working well in the curriculum. The school should strengthen assessment practices to align with the key knowledge taught, identifying gaps in pupils' learning effectively and supporting teachers to identify future curriculum adaptions.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
14 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
199 pupils on roll, with places for 199
Schools near Sidestrand Hall School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Andrew's School | 6 miles | Report card: Expected standard | Attainment 8: 5.4 |
| Sheringham Woodfields School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| The Stables Independent School | 10 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| All Saints School | 11 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | Attainment 8: 21.1 |
| Hall School | 17 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Foundation special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Trust
- Trust Norfolk-SEN
- Age range
- 7 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding places
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Shelley Taylor
- Phone
- 01263578144
- Address
- Cromer Road, Sidestrand, Cromer, NR27 0NH
- Local authority
- Norfolk
- URN
- 121254
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.