The Garden School
Wordsworth Road, London, N16 8BZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Garden School is a special school in Hackney for ages 4 to 18. It is one of the 105 schools in Hackney. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 December 2024, report published 23 January 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 December 2024
The school has high expectations for all pupils. It is working effectively to establish these aspirations through recent strengthening of the school's curriculum and the accreditation routes available to pupils. Across the school, from the early years through to the sixth form, pupils' futures are carefully considered. Students in the sixth form study towards qualifications, awards and accreditations. These prepare them well for adulthood and their next steps in education or employment. Staff build positive working relationships with pupils. They get to know pupils well. Pupils trust the adults they work with. As a result, behaviour across the school is mostly settled and calm. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe in school. The school provides a range of experiences to nurture and develop pupils' interests and talents. This includes working with professional actors, musicians and dancers and visiting local theatre groups. Pupils participate in weekly enrichment visits to forest schools and adventure playgrounds. Pupils are encouraged to take care of themselves and be respectful of each other. Through a range of special days and assemblies pupils are encouraged to understand and respect other religions and cultures.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum does not define clearly the essential knowledge that pupils should learn. This means that, in those subjects, pupils do not build their learning cumulatively and securely. The school should set out precisely what it wants pupils to learn in all subjects, so that pupils learn well across the curriculum.
- The effectiveness of teachers' checks on pupils' learning is variable. Sometimes, teachers do not identify or address gaps in pupils' understanding and, consequently, do not set precise enough next steps for them. The school should ensure that it supports staff to use assessment effectively, so that pupils' needs are identified and addressed consistently well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
12 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
204 pupils on roll, with places for 200
Schools near The Garden School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side By Side School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| Stormont House School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 0.7 |
| Samuel Rhodes MLD School | 0.9 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | Not published |
| The Courtyard Islington | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 2.0 |
| Leaways School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 7.3 |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Ray Lawrence
- Phone
- 02072548096
- Address
- Wordsworth Road, London, N16 8BZ
- Local authority
- Hackney
- URN
- 100311
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.