Alderwasley Hall School, Derbyshire
Alderwasley Hall School is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 20 in Derbyshire. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2025.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Alderwasley Hall School in detail
Alderwasley Hall School in its own words
In its own words: "For our students to reach their full potential and to feel an integrated and valued member of society. Pupils flourish at this school in an atmosphere that is calm and purposeful"
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
What parents say
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Alderwasley Hall School (as of September 2025): 95% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school supports their child's wider development (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Alderwasley Hall School has an education, health and care plan (115 of 115 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Whatstandwell Rail Station, about 1030 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).
1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Alderwasley Hall (adjacent), 210 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; 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
Sixth Form
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 July 2025 inspection report.
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 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 3 nearby schools
Social & online
Keep up with Alderwasley Hall School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Derbyshire is 6 (the median across 454 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
83%
Available places
115 pupils
138 places
23 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Derbyshire
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Derbyshire
Across Derbyshire council
Places available
8,818
Applications
7,971
Got 1st preference
94.5%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across Derbyshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(11)
Independent School standard inspection
Met all the independent school standards.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
115
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Alderwasley Hall School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
115
Total Pupils
74
Boys
41
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Alderwasley Hall School
What are GCSE results like at Alderwasley Hall School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Alderwasley Hall School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Alderwasley Hall School's Ofsted rating?
Alderwasley Hall School was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2025.
Does Alderwasley Hall School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in July 2025, Alderwasley Hall School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Alderwasley Hall School?
Alderwasley Hall School has around 115 pupils on roll.
Does Alderwasley Hall School have specialist SEN provision?
Alderwasley Hall School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Alderwasley Hall School?
Alderwasley Hall School 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.
How many road collisions happen near Alderwasley Hall School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Derbyshire is 6 (the median across 454 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Alderwasley Hall School?
Alderwasley Hall School is at Higg Lane, Alderwasley, Derbyshire, DE56 2SR.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)