Acorn Cottage The Lodge has closed (Monday 24 August 2026).
It merged with another school.
Acorn Cottage The Lodge, Ipswich
Acorn Cottage The Lodge is a special school for girls aged 11 to 16 in Ipswich. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Acorn Cottage The Lodge in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Acorn Cottage The Lodge are Gable End (5.1 miles, Good); and The Bridge School (5.2 miles, Good).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Acorn Cottage The Lodge has an education, health and care plan (1 of 1 in 2026).
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Acorn Cottage The Lodge.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bus Shelter (outside), 280 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 5 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and other crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This school excels at helping girls who have experienced disrupted education get back on track. Staff create a genuinely caring environment where pupils build confidence and resilience, while the curriculum is cleverly designed to connect with their interests and real-world applications. The school goes beyond academics to develop life skills and prepare pupils thoroughly for their next steps, whether that's college or employment.
Key Strengths
- Carefully designed curriculum tailored to pupils' interests and needs, helping them gain qualifications and re-engage with learning
- Strong behavior management with high, clear expectations consistently applied by staff
- Effective safeguarding arrangements with well-trained staff who support pupils' emotional and social development
- Real-world curriculum connections that make learning meaningful, such as applying maths to practical projects
- Dedicated support for pupils' transition to college and employment with encouragement and guidance
Areas for Improvement
- Reading is not sufficiently well-integrated across the wider curriculum, meaning pupils do not consistently encounter a diverse range of engaging texts that would develop their enthusiasm and deeper knowledge of reading
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with well-trained staff who understand their responsibilities and create an open, positive culture that prioritizes pupils' safety and wellbeing.
Extracurricular Activities
Horse riding, museum visits, sports, cooking, arts and culture activities, allotment work
Acorn Cottage The Lodge is a good independent special school for girls aged 11-16 that helps pupils with disrupted education histories re-engage with learning in a caring, supportive environment. The school has maintained its good rating and meets all independent school standards.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 4 nearby schools
Keep up with Acorn Cottage The Lodge
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
13%
Available places
1 pupils
8 places
7 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Ipswich
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Ipswich
Across Suffolk council
Places available
8,475
Applications
7,204
Got 1st preference
92.7%
Got preferred school
97.7%
All secondary applications across Suffolk council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(9)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
1
Total Pupils
0
Boys
1
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Acorn Cottage The Lodge
What is Acorn Cottage The Lodge's Ofsted rating?
Acorn Cottage The Lodge was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2025.
Does Acorn Cottage The Lodge meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2025, Acorn Cottage The Lodge met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Acorn Cottage The Lodge?
Acorn Cottage The Lodge has around 1 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Acorn Cottage The Lodge?
Acorn Cottage The Lodge is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Where is Acorn Cottage The Lodge?
Acorn Cottage The Lodge is at Ipswich Road, Elmsett, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 6NY.