Welden School

  • Special
  • Independent
  • Ages 10 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Whispering Trees CIC, Shardlow Road, Aston-on-Trent, Derby, DE72 2ANOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Welden School is a special school in Derby for ages 10 to 16. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 May 2024, report published 1 July 2024

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 May 2024

Pupils are proud to be part of Welden School. They are happy and feel safe. They know that staff listen to any worries that they have and will do the right thing. Pupils are cared for very well. They are known individually. They are polite. Relationships are respectful. Visitors are made to feel very welcome. The school sets high expectations of behaviour. Pupils strive to meet these expectations. They are supported to understand and manage their behaviours. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes improve significantly during their time at the school. They behave well. All pupils attend very well. Their attendance improves over time and is significantly better than in their previous educational setting. Pupils want to be at the school. They appreciate the support given by staff. Pupils are nurtured to be self-confident, resilient and to develop their character. They enjoy the horticulture and animal care opportunities provided. Peter, the rabbit, is particularly liked. All parents and carers value what the school offers. A parent, typical of others, commented, 'The school has made my child feel safe and secure, encouraged them academically and also responded to their struggles. They have provided lots of educational opportunities while also providing a nurturing environment.'

What the school should improve

  • There is some inconsistency in the expectations for pupils' learning in some foundation subjects. As a result, pupils do not have the opportunities to gain knowledge and skills fully in these subjects. Leaders need to ensure that all foundation subject curriculums are consistently implemented well. Thus enabling pupils to know and remember more in all these subjects.

Pupil numbers and mix

9 pupils on roll, with places for 9

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 Welden School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Martins School3 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 1.7
Kingsmead School4 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Spring Valley School4 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Stanton Vale School5 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding0% met the expected standard
Brackenfield Special School5 milesOfsted judgements: Outstanding0% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Other independent special school
Sector
Independent
Age range
10 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Mr Tim Strutz
Address
Whispering Trees CIC, Shardlow Road, Aston-on-Trent, Derby, DE72 2AN
Local authority
Derbyshire
URN
149820

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.