The Beacon College

  • Special
  • Free school
  • Ages 16 to 19
Ofsted: Outstanding

Eastnor Drive, Hereford, HR1 1NZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Beacon College is a special school in Hereford for ages 16 to 19. It is one of the 112 schools in Herefordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in April 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 April 2024, report published 13 May 2024

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 April 2024

Students thrive at The Beacon College. Staff make sure that they understand each student incredibly well. This means that from the moment they start, students' needs are met and they are able to flourish. Students' personal development is the golden thread that runs through all aspects of school life. Staff work thoughtfully to make sure that students are very well prepared for adulthood in every respect. The exceptionally well designed curriculum, the extensive range of wider opportunities and the carefully planned experiences for students to practise and apply their skills provide an excellent platform for students' next steps. Students enjoy school. There is a strong focus on teaching students to be able to advocate for themselves. Students are taught to make choices for themselves and to be able to communicate effectively when they want things to change. Students' views are at the heart of their provision. The school has precisely planned what they do so to ensure that students make meaningful choices in all areas of school life. As a result, students are confident that their voices are listened to. The school has exceptionally high expectations for students, and staff provide students with the tools to meet these expectations. Students learn about themselves and the needs of others, so they are well prepared for employment, education or more specialist provision.

Pupil numbers and mix

39 pupils on roll, with places for 60

Eligible for free school meals30.8%

30.8%, 4.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.6%

2.6%, 19 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Beacon College

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Barrs Court School0.5 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
The Brookfield School1 mileOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 9.0
G.E.M Hereford2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Blackmarston School2 milesOfsted: InadequateNot published
Pathway Schools Limited2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published

School details

School type
Free schools special
Sector
Free school
Trust
ACCORDIA ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
16 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Mrs Lisa Appleton
Address
Eastnor Drive, Hereford, HR1 1NZ
Local authority
Herefordshire
URN
148636

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.