Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School, South Molton
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 18 in South Molton. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2025.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2025)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School in detail
What parents say
20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (100%).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School has an education, health and care plan (48 of 48 in 2026).
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Devon (16).
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years 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 January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The Libra School excels at transforming the educational experiences of pupils with complex social, emotional and mental health needs. Through expert staff, strong relationships, and therapeutic support, pupils who have previously struggled in other schools develop confidence, resilience and a genuine love of learning. The school's ambitious curriculum, combined with outdoor farm and forest learning, ensures pupils gain qualifications and leave well-prepared for their future.
Key Strengths
- Builds excellent relationships with pupils and provides expert therapeutic support to help them overcome trauma and barriers to learning
- Delivers a broad, ambitious curriculum with strong outdoor learning at the farm and forest provision that develops character, talents and aspirations
- Staff have high expertise and receive regular bespoke training to support pupils' learning exceptionally well
- Pupils' behaviour is exemplary with positive attitudes to learning, and they feel safe and respected
- Rigorous checks on progress ensure gaps in understanding are identified and addressed quickly
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with clear policies in place and a strong culture that prioritises pupils' interests and wellbeing.
Extracurricular Activities
Farm and forest provision, outdoor learning opportunities, careers education and guidance
The Libra School is an independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, aged 5-18. The school achieved an Outstanding rating across all areas, with pupils showing exceptional achievement and improved behaviour after often negative previous educational experiences.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
20 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Keep up with Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School
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 Devon is 3 (the median across 426 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
96%
Near capacity
48 pupils
50 places
2 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - South Molton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for South Molton
Across Devon council
Places available
7,788
Applications
7,251
Got 1st preference
93.3%
Got preferred school
98.4%
All secondary applications across Devon council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(10)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
48
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra 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
48
Total Pupils
40
Boys
8
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School
What are GCSE results like at Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra 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 Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School's Ofsted rating?
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025.
Does Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in January 2025, Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School?
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School has around 48 pupils on roll.
Does Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School have specialist SEN provision?
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School?
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra 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 Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra 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 Devon is 3 (the median across 426 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School?
Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School is at Edgemoor Court, South Radworthy, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3LN.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)