The Retreat
Ercall Heath, Telford, Shopshire, Telford, TF6 6PNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Retreat is a secondary school in Telford for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 84 schools in Telford and Wrekin. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 16 September 2025, report published 9 October 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 16 September 2025
Being a pupil at The Retreat means being seen, heard and believed in. Pupils arrive having experienced trauma and fractured educational experiences. Yet, from the moment they step through the door, they are met with warmth, compassion and unwavering belief in their potential. Staff understand pupils' needs deeply and create a calm, nurturing space where trust can grow. The school has high expectations of pupils, often surpassing what pupils thought possible. Learning is purposeful and personalised, helping each pupil to close gaps and achieve qualifications that reflect their true ability. Progress is not just expected; it is celebrated. Behaviour is exceptional, built on mutual respect and connection. Pupils feel safe and valued, which fosters pride, focus and a genuine desire to learn. Attendance improves because pupils want to be there. Beyond the classroom, pupils explore identity and build resilience. This is fostered through enriching experiences, including dressmaking, horse riding, gymnastics and shopping for clothes. These activities help to restore confidence and joy. These remarkable pupils, shaped by adversity, begin to thrive. With the school's support, they grow not only as learners but as young people ready to face the world with strength, dignity and hope.
What the school should improve
- The school has not ensured that pupils have sufficient opportunities to reflect and respond to the checks on their learning and complete follow-up tasks. As a result, some pupils do not develop their knowledge and understanding sufficiently. The school should ensure that pupils are provided with regular and structured opportunities to respond to feedback, enabling them to fully engage with teacher comments and strengthen their learning.
- The delivery of the PSHE curriculum and social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) programme is sometimes variable, and some pupils struggle to recall key themes and lessons accurately. This limits their ability to fully internalise essential concepts and prepare effectively for life in modern Britain. The school should ensure that the PSHE curriculum and SMSC programme are implemented consistently across the school, with regular opportunities for pupils to revisit and reflect on their learning, thereby strengthening their understanding and readiness for life in modern society.
Pupil numbers and mix
3 pupils on roll, with places for 4
Schools near The Retreat
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haberdashers' Adams | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 71.8 |
| Newport Girls' High School Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 75.3 |
| The Burton Borough School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 39.7 |
| Charlton School | 6 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 42.7 |
| New Road Academy | 6 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 38.6 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Girls
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Carys Gell
- Phone
- 01952541101
- Address
- Ercall Heath, Telford, Shopshire, Telford, TF6 6PN
- Local authority
- Telford and Wrekin
- URN
- 144404
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.