Springwell Harrogate

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2026

This school offers pupils an opportunity to re-engage in school life and make a fresh start to their education. Pupils have become disconnected with education at their previous schools, and most have missed significant periods of learning. This school welcomes them with open arms. It is a calm environment where staff genuinely care and get to know pupils very well. Pupils are nurtured, feel safe and are valued as individuals. Every pupil is treated with equal dignity and respect. Pupils appreciate that the school encourages them to be themselves and learn in ways that are comfortable and meet their needs. Their needs are understood. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils are well supported. Most pupils have significant behavioural needs. Skilled staff help pupils to develop ways to manage their emotions and behaviour effectively. Pupils gain essential social skills and learn to regulate their behaviour. They develop increasingly positive attitudes and enjoy being at school. Bullying or discrimination is not tolerated. Pupils are confident that staff will take effective action to address any worries or poor behaviour. The school works purposefully with external professionals to assess, identify and meet pupils’ needs in a timely way. Pupils typically make positive progress from their individual starting points. The curriculum supports pupils to build important knowledge and skills academically and through practical learning in the community. Leaders ensure that barriers to learning are reduced so that pupils can maximise their time at the school. Pupils are encouraged to be aspirational. Most pupils gain qualifications that help them with their next steps. The school provides various opportunities for pupils to develop their life skills. These help pupils to consider their future options for further education and employment. Pupils enjoy trips and experiences that broaden their interests and enrich their learning. These include visits to museums, ice-skating, snowboarding, visits within the local community and workshops delivered by visiting speakers.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that pupils with barriers to writing, or who are in the early stages of learning to write, are appropriately supported and have sufficient opportunity to develop their writing skills.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)