Bradshaw Farm Independent School, Buxton
Bradshaw Farm Independent School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Buxton. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Bradshaw Farm Independent School in detail
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Bradshaw Farm Independent School has an education, health and care plan (2 of 2 in 2026).
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).
Sources: 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 March 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school specializes in helping pupils who have faced negative school experiences and personal challenges. Staff create a supportive, non-judgmental environment where pupils learn the value of education and develop real confidence in their abilities. Pupils leave with improved self-esteem and are well prepared for their next steps in education and independent living.
Key Strengths
- Pupils feel safe, happy and valued in a kind and caring learning environment - staff go above and beyond for them
- Clear behaviour routines and high expectations help pupils develop confidence, resilience and improved self-esteem
- Well-designed curriculum that is broad, balanced and ambitious, with strong focus on reading skills and engaging texts
- Effective careers advice and guidance to prepare pupils for independent living and their futures
- Enriching activities including museum trips and outdoor activities in the Peak District setting
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment information is not always used effectively - some pupils given work without prior knowledge while others not moved on when ready
- Pupils have limited knowledge of different faiths and religions, which limits their understanding of diversity despite learning to show respect
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with leaders having sharpened safeguarding systems and creating an open, positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
National Arboretum museum trips, outdoor activities in Peak District, clubs
Bradshaw Farm Independent School is a special school for pupils aged 11-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school has improved significantly since its last inspection and now provides a good quality of education in a caring environment.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 3 nearby schools
Keep up with Bradshaw Farm Independent 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 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
33%
Available places
2 pupils
6 places
4 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Buxton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Buxton
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(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Bradshaw Farm Independent 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
2
Total Pupils
2
Boys
0
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Bradshaw Farm Independent School
Questions parents ask about Bradshaw Farm Independent School
What is Bradshaw Farm Independent School's Ofsted rating?
Bradshaw Farm Independent School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025.
Does Bradshaw Farm Independent School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in March 2025, Bradshaw Farm Independent School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Bradshaw Farm Independent School?
Bradshaw Farm Independent School has around 2 pupils on roll.
Does Bradshaw Farm Independent School have specialist SEN provision?
Bradshaw Farm Independent School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Bradshaw Farm Independent School?
Bradshaw Farm Independent 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 Bradshaw Farm Independent 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 Bradshaw Farm Independent School?
Bradshaw Farm Independent School is at LONGNOR, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 0QY.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)