Castlebar School, London
Castlebar School is a special school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in London. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Castlebar School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Castlebar School are Springhallow School (0.4 miles, Good); Insights Independent School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, selective); St Ann's School (1 mile, Outstanding); and West London Performing Arts Academy (WLPA Academy) (1.8 miles).
Springhallow SchoolInsights Independent SchoolSt Ann's SchoolWest London Performing Arts Academy (WLPA Academy)
What parents say
33 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Castlebar School (as of September 2025): 94% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).
Who goes there
54.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 46.1% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (28%), Black (26%) and other ethnic groups (16%).
Almost every pupil at Castlebar School has an education, health and care plan (193 of 193 in 2026). The most common need among them is a severe learning difficulty.
Castlebar School provides for pupils with autism, moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Castle Bar Park Rail Station, about 150 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Castle Bar Park Station, 160 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Castlebar School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
Castlebar School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
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; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from June 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Castlebar School excels at teaching reading through expert phonics instruction tailored to each child's needs, helping pupils develop real joy in books. The school creates a calm, happy learning environment using skilled communication support and clear routines that help all pupils thrive. Staff and leaders work closely with families to support attendance and overcome anxieties, and pupils leave well-prepared for their next steps with strong skills in independence, communication, and respect for others.
Key Strengths
- Expertly designed curriculum that builds knowledge progressively, with teachers using precise checks to guide learning
- Exceptional phonics teaching with targeted support helping all pupils learn to read and find joy in books
- Expert staff use of communication aids (photographs, symbols, sign language) matched to individual pupil needs
- Outstanding personal development through enriched curriculum including theatrical performances, sports, and overnight stays
- Strong safeguarding culture and excellent staff-pupil relationships that keep pupils calm and happy
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with staff and leaders ensuring pupils are safe and feel safe through strong relationships and skilled support.
Extracurricular Activities
Theatrical and musical performances, dry slope skiing, horse riding, cooperative play activities, overnight stays for older pupils
Castlebar School is an exceptional special school highly valued by pupils and parents, where staff and leaders ensure consistently high-quality provision and pupils achieve well across a well-designed curriculum.
At a Glance
54.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Autism, MLD, SLD
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
33 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Castlebar School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Castlebar School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Castlebar School is in Ealing; for families living there:
Apply to Ealing for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 32
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 32 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 29 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Ealing is 61 (the median across 115 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
101%
Over capacity
193 pupils
192 places
1 pupil over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for London
Across Ealing council
Places available
3,740
Applications
3,627
Got 1st preference
73.0%
Got preferred school
93.7%
All secondary applications across Ealing council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Outstanding, but Ofsted raised concerns; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
193
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Castlebar School provides for pupils with autism, moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
193
Total Pupils
149
Boys
44
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
28
Teachers
6.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£67,269
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.5%
Overall absence
18.0%
Persistent absence
178
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Linked Schools
Schools linked by geographic proximity
Questions parents ask about Castlebar School
What are SATs results like at Castlebar School?
Of the pupils at Castlebar School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is Castlebar School's Ofsted rating?
Castlebar School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Castlebar School?
No fixed boundary. When Castlebar School is oversubscribed, Ealing allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Castlebar School?
Castlebar School has around 193 pupils on roll. 55% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Castlebar School have specialist SEN provision?
Castlebar School provides for pupils with autism, moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at Castlebar School?
6.5% of sessions were missed at Castlebar School in 2024/25. 18% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Castlebar School?
Apply through Ealing's coordinated admissions process, naming Castlebar School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Castlebar School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 32 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 29 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Ealing is 61 (the median across 115 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Castlebar School?
Castlebar School is at Hathaway Gardens, Ealing, London, W13 0DH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)