Wolverdene Special School
22 Love Lane, Andover, SP10 2AFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Wolverdene Special School is a special school in Andover for ages 6 to 11. It is one of the 600 schools in Hampshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 2 March 2022, report published 5 May 2022
- 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 2 March 2022
Pupils are settling back into school life after the challenges of the pandemic and changes in leadership. However, no two days are the same at this school because of the unique characteristics of the pupils it serves. Almost all pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe in the care of the dedicated staff. Pupils attend this school because their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) mean that they find it hard to manage their behaviour. Pupils are responding well to a change of approach in helping them to behave well. The move away from sanctions and reprimands to repair and therapy is proving successful. Most pupils enjoy learning and playing together. They sometimes fall out, and are beginning to understand the difference between disagreements and bullying. Pupils know that if they are worried about anything, adults will help straightaway. Leaders and teachers want pupils to have a wide and varied understanding of the world and to be prepared for the next steps in their education. Adults help pupils to understand world events in an appropriate way and encourage them to take on responsibilities around the school. One parent told inspectors that, 'Wolverdene is a lifeline not just to my son but us as a family.'
What the school should improve
- In subjects other than English and mathematics, some staff do not have sufficient subject knowledge to teach the precise next steps needed to help pupils make progress. As a result, pupils sometimes remember experiences rather than essential knowledge and skills. Leaders should ensure that staff have training to give them confidence in teaching subject-specific content.
- Some newer staff have not been trained in the school's chosen phonics programme. Therefore, their teaching or sound pronunciation is not as accurate as it could be, and this hinders pupils' progress when they are at an early stage of learning to read. Leaders need to organise up-to-date phonics training for newer staff.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
18 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
55 pupils on roll, with places for 55
Schools near Wolverdene Special School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mark Way School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 8.1 |
| Norman Gate School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Icknield School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Grateley House School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 20.3 |
| Lyttelton House School | 6 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 6 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding places
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Nathalie Akhmatova
- Phone
- 01264362350
- Address
- 22 Love Lane, Andover, SP10 2AF
- Local authority
- Hampshire
- URN
- 116635
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.