Victoria Education Centre
12 Lindsay Road, Branksome Park, Poole, BH13 6ASOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Victoria Education Centre is a special school in Poole for ages 3 to 19. It is one of the 111 schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 2 July 2019, report published 22 July 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 November 2024
Victoria Education Centre provides a calm and nurturing environment. The school has high expectations for all pupils. Pupils appreciate how staff see beyond their disabilities, which allows them to achieve well and develop into confident young people. Developing pupils' love of learning, promoting independence, securing pupils' future destinations and enrichment experiences, 'LIFE', is at the heart of the school's aspirations. Leaders place importance on the curriculum, especially the core skills of reading, writing and mathematics. Built into the curriculum is an individualised therapeutic approach. Pupils experience success because staff understand their individual needs well. Pupils typically comment on how 'it is very helpful having all the support' as it builds their confidence. However, some pupils can be over reliant on this support which limits the progress they make through the curriculum. Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils and staff follow the school's approach to behaviour. Pupils behave well in lessons and social situations. When pupils struggle with their emotions, staff take effective and supportive action. This enables pupils to re-engage with their learning. Strong pastoral support and positive relationships with adults help pupils to feel valued. Pupils trust adults and know they are there to help and support them.
What the school should improve
- On occasions, teachers do not adapt pupils' learning well. This means some pupils are over reliant on adult support and are not able to take ownership of their learning and demonstrate what they know and can do. The trust must ensure that adaptations are securely in place to allow pupils to demonstrate their knowledge.
- Some parents and members of staff have expressed concerns about the number of leadership changes and the impact this has had on pupils' education. Some parents do not think their child is achieving as well as they should. The trust needs to ensure it continues the work that has already started to strengthen links with the school community so that any concerns raised are dealt with quickly.
Pupil numbers and mix
133 pupils on roll, with places for 130
Schools near Victoria Education Centre
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langside School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Winchelsea School | 2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 0.1 |
| The Lion Works School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 3.3 |
| Linwood School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Longspee Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 6.9 |
School details
- School type
- Non-maintained special school
- Sector
- Other
- Age range
- 3 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Olu Odunsi
- Phone
- 01202763697
- Address
- 12 Lindsay Road, Branksome Park, Poole, BH13 6AS
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- URN
- 113954
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.