The Serendipity School

  • Special
  • Independent
  • Ages 9 to 19
Ofsted: Outstanding

399 Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton, SO19 6DSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Serendipity School is a special school in Southampton for ages 9 to 19. It is one of the 84 schools in Southampton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 June 2024, report published 2 July 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 4 June 2024

Parents and carers cite the transformative experience this school has had on their children, one referring to The Serendipity School as having gone 'above and beyond for me and my child' and another calling it: 'our light at the end of a very dark tunnel.' As a result of the expert care and support pupils receive, they feel increasingly engaged in school and hopeful about their futures. This is especially important as, for many pupils, their prior experiences in school and education have not always been as positive. Pupils are known exceptionally well by staff, who are expert in adapting their approaches to meet the needs of the pupils in their care. For example, by knowing the signs that mean they might be struggling, pupils are supported not just in the moment but also longer term in being able to identify and pre-empt these elements themselves. This personalised and adapted support develops their self-esteem, confidence and personal and social skills. Opportunities for 'gem time' and 'talk about' sessions are used expertly to develop pupils' increasing awareness of their impact on others, supporting their resilience and mental health. Over time, these support pupils in knowing how to regulate their own behaviour. As a result, relationships across the school are highly positive.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

7 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score11.3

11.3, 34.8 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths14.3%

14.3%, 31.1 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths14.3%

14.3%, 50.5 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc0%

0%, 40.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score0.93

0.93, 3.16 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

24 pupils on roll, with places for 25

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 Serendipity School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Springwell School0.2 milesOfsted: Outstanding0% met the expected standard
Yarrow Heights School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 24.6
Luminous Oak Academy3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Fair Ways School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 4.1
New Avenue School3 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Other independent special school
Sector
Independent
Age range
9 to 19
Gender
Girls
Headteacher
Miss Philippa Smith
Address
399 Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton, SO19 6DS
Local authority
Southampton
URN
131556

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.