Alderwasley Hall School, Derbyshire

Special
Other independent special school
Mixed
Ages 520
Boarding school

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr Bernardo Vega Arnanz
Pupils:115 / 138 capacity
LA:Derbyshire
Phone:01629822586
Address:Higg Lane, Alderwasley, Derbyshire, DE56 2SR
Admissions:Not applicable
Status:open
Opened:31 January 1976

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 1 year ago
-

Overall

Inspected 8 July 2025View full report
URN:113021
UKPRN:10000205
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Derbyshire Dales
Urban/Rural:Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Alderwasley Hall transforms the lives of pupils who often arrive with significant gaps in their learning and experience. The school excels at creating individualised pathways where almost all pupils become fluent readers, make progress in mathematics, and develop the independence and confidence needed for adult life. Staff combine specialist therapeutic knowledge with expert teaching to help every child thrive, preparing them successfully for further education, training or employment.

Key Strengths

  • Individualised programmes precisely matched to each pupil's learning needs, resulting in strong progress in reading and mathematics
  • Expert team of therapists and staff working together to support pupils' emotional development and prepare them for independent living
  • Carefully planned curriculum that weaves preparation for adulthood throughout, including life skills, careers guidance, and community experiences
  • Warm, caring relationships between staff and pupils with exceptional understanding of pupils' needs and early recognition of behavioural concerns
  • Strong focus on developing pupils' character and social skills, helping many become confident, eloquent individuals

Safeguarding

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff demonstrating skilled awareness of pupils' needs and early intervention to support emotional regulation.

Extracurricular Activities

Swimming lessons, trips and visits, places of worship visits, faith and cultural exploration, animal care and exercise experience with local community livestock, collective thoughts sessions

Alderwasley Hall School is an independent special school for pupils aged 5-20 with autism, speech and language needs, and social-emotional difficulties. The school has been rated Outstanding across all areas, with pupils flourishing in a calm, purposeful atmosphere tailored to their individual needs.

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

59 responses
Would recommend95%
Child is happy92%
Well taught92%
Good progress90%
Feels safe95%
Well behaved93%
Bullying dealt with17%
Kept informed95%
Handles concerns78%
Wider development97%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Class Sizes

0.0

Avg class size

0

Total classes

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Whatstandwell Rail Station (Main Entrance)
1.0km · 17 min walk

Bus Stops

Alderwasley Hall (adj)
208m · 3 min walk
Railway Station (Opp)
1.0km · 17 min walk
Pendleton Lane (opp)
1.0km · 17 min walk
Derwent Bridge (Adj)
1.1km · 18 min walk
Crich Carr Primary School (Opp)
1.2km · 19 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

83%

Available places

115 pupils

138 capacity

23 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - Derbyshire

Low pressure
New homes approved:159
Projected new pupils:29

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Derbyshire

Admissions Demand - Derbyshire

Low demand0.90x oversubscription

Places available

8,811

Applications

7,963

Got 1st preference

95.4%

Got preferred school

99.1%

Secondary admissions across Derbyshire (2025/26)

Inspection History(11)

8 July 2025
17 September 2024
12 July 2022

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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