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Fordwater School, Chichester - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
Fordwater School, Chichester
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Fordwater School, Chichester
- All-through
- Chichester PO19 6PP
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Ofsted report
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| Previous inspection | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Achievement of pupils | Good |
| Quality of teaching | Good |
| Behaviour and safety of pupils | Outstanding |
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This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: All current pupils are making good progress towards meeting targets set in their education, health and care plans.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Pupils behave outstandingly well and make excellent progress in personal development.
Support for Pupils Falling Behind: Leaders monitor the impact of interventions and change them if they are not working. Disadvantaged pupils make progress at least in line with peers.
Teacher Engagement: Staff are proud to work at the school and feel supported by leaders. They appreciate training and the openness of the leadership.
Impact of Teaching on Student Progress: Teachers' creative use of resources enables strong progress in understanding.
Strengths or Challenges with Teaching Staff: Strengthening recording of incidents of inappropriate behavior is a noted positive change.
Opportunities for Parent Involvement: Parents appreciate the lengths staff go to overcome barriers to learning and progress.
Communication with Parents: Parents reserve particular praise for the communication and care provided by the staff.
Parent Satisfaction: The majority of parents and carers are appreciative of the school's efforts.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Governors visit the school regularly to understand firsthand and hold leaders accountable.
Actions to Enhance Education Quality: Leaders identify key priorities and take effective actions, such as piloting a holistic approach to curriculum and assessment.
Managing Bullying and Ensuring Safety: Safeguarding arrangements are fit for purpose, with high levels of care and clear procedures.
Behaviour and Attitudes of Pupils: Pupils know who to speak to if worried and feel safe.
Promoting Pupils' Welfare and Safety: Staff are tenacious in ensuring timely support from outside agencies for vulnerable pupils.
Extracurricular Activities & Clubs: Pupils engage in charity events and dramatic performances that build confidence and delight parents.
Balancing Academics with Extracurriculars: The curriculum supports pupils' academic, cultural, and personal development through rich experiences.
Career Counselling Services: An increasing proportion of sixth-form students progress to local colleges.
Preparation for Next Key Stage: The curriculum is designed around individual needs, ensuring appropriate future destinations for students.
Support for SEND: Leaders share expertise by supporting special educational needs coordinators in mainstream schools.
Subjects Offered: Pupils have access to all subjects in the national curriculum at the appropriate level.
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About Us
Fordwater School, Chichester is a All-through, Co-Ed school located in West Sussex, South East.
It has 171 students from age 2-19 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 6 : 1.
This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.
Type of SEN provision
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Fordwater School, Chichester
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From the Fordwater School, Chichester
In Chichester, West Sussex, I am the Headteacher of Fordwater School. My name is Sophie Clarke.
Our school serves students with severe and complicated learning challenges who are 2 to 19 years old.
The school's primary structure was constructed in the 1960s, but we have since expanded and replaced certain parts to better serve our students' evolving requirements.
Our exceptional facilities include a food technology lab, a well-maintained hydrotherapy pool, new multisensory rooms, a play barn, well-stocked outdoor playgrounds, and many more interesting tools that enrich our students' education.
Speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, and a full-time school nurse assist us in the classroom and collaborate with our teaching staff to meet the needs of our students on a multidisciplinary level.
All of our students have an education and health care plan, which guides their specific education plans and offers specialised learning tasks that allow them to advance at the right rate.
We take pleasure in the diversity of our student body, our high expectations for conduct, and the respect that students have for one another.
We engage in a variety of extracurricular activities, and Fordwater students give back to the neighbourhood through volunteer work, job shadowing, and involvement in community celebrations.
We are proud of our connections to the local and global community.
In addition to our students, we also have their parents and carers in mind.
Our goal is to make sure that all of our students are ready for life after school—healthy, content, eager learners.
Read more
Our school serves students with severe and complicated learning challenges who are 2 to 19 years old.
The school's primary structure was constructed in the 1960s, but we have since expanded and replaced certain parts to better serve our students' evolving requirements.
Our exceptional facilities include a food technology lab, a well-maintained hydrotherapy pool, new multisensory rooms, a play barn, well-stocked outdoor playgrounds, and many more interesting tools that enrich our students' education.
Speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, and a full-time school nurse assist us in the classroom and collaborate with our teaching staff to meet the needs of our students on a multidisciplinary level.
All of our students have an education and health care plan, which guides their specific education plans and offers specialised learning tasks that allow them to advance at the right rate.
We take pleasure in the diversity of our student body, our high expectations for conduct, and the respect that students have for one another.
We engage in a variety of extracurricular activities, and Fordwater students give back to the neighbourhood through volunteer work, job shadowing, and involvement in community celebrations.
We are proud of our connections to the local and global community.
In addition to our students, we also have their parents and carers in mind.
Our goal is to make sure that all of our students are ready for life after school—healthy, content, eager learners.
Compare with similar schools
| Phase of Education | All-through | All-through |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Special Schools | Special Schools |
| ³Ô¹ÏÌìÌà grade |
B-
|
A-
|
| Ofset report | Good | Outstanding |
| Age range | 2-19 | 4-16 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 6.7 | 7.9 |
| Proficient Math | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | - | - |
| Day Fees | - | - |
Primary Exam Result
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | - | 96 | 97 |
| Reading | - | 98 | 98 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | - | 51.66% | 55.96% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | - | 5.18% | 7.42% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | - | - |
| Writing | - | - |
| Maths | - | - |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic 2020, 2021 and 2022 Primary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic 2020, 2021 and 2022 Primary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic 2020, 2021 and 2022 Primary school exam
results were not published at school level.
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | - | 96 | 96 |
| Reading | - | 96 | 95 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | 0% | 57.54% | 60.44% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | 0% | 6.56% | 9.72% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | - | - |
| Writing | -2.4 | Below Average |
| Maths | - | - |
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | - | 95 | 94 |
| Reading | - | 97 | 95 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | - | 57.02% | 59.51% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | - | 6.51% | 9.16% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | - | - |
| Writing | - | - |
| Maths | - | - |
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | - | 88 | 93 |
| Reading | - | 89 | 93 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | - | 48.01% | 56.29% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | - | 4.61% | 8.19% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | - | - |
| Writing | - | - |
| Maths | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | - | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | - | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 24.32% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 36.43% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | - | 17.6% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | - | 8.03% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | - | 11.75% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | - | 2.47 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 100% | 94.16% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 6 | 167 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 100% | 88.37% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 0% | 40.69% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 0% | 21.35% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 15.06% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 100% | 11.39% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 2.14% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 0% | 3.47% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | - | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | - | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 26.18% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 38.25% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | - | 19.43% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | - | 10.22% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | - | 13.83% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | - | 2.7 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 100% | 90.25% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 7 | 167 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 100% | 86.98% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 0% | 43.02% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 0% | 21.15% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 13.38% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 100% | 9.44% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 1.4% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 0% | 1.9% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | - | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | - | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 24.14% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 38.12% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | - | 23.17% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | - | 9.39% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | - | 13.84% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | - | 2.62 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 100% | 90% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 9 | 165 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 100% | 84.45% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 0% | 39.52% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 0% | 22% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 12.55% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 100% | 10.32% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 2.82% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 0% | 2.57% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | - | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | - | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 24.72% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 36.64% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | - | 19.75% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | - | 8.94% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | - | 12.84% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | - | 2.58 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | - | 85.5% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 5 | 173 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | - | 75.5% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | - | 35.98% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | - | 23.21% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 12.43% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | - | 6.36% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | - | 2.33% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 2.1% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | - | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | - | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 25.54% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | - | 37.52% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | - | 20.17% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | - | 11.18% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | - | 12.28% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | - | 82.78% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 6 | 173 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | - | 66.41% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | - | 36.41% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | - | 22.2% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 11.44% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | - | 5.59% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | - | 3.49% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 2.68% | 2.45% |
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 23rd Jul 2025 - 2nd Sep 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 2nd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 22nd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
6 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Fordwater School, Chichester
Local authority ratio 19 : 1