Copper Fields School, Gunnislake

Special
Other independent special school
Mixed
Ages 416

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr Chris Clements
Pupils:26 / 60 capacity
LA:Cornwall
Phone:01822660342
Address:Delaware Road, Drakewalls, Gunnislake, PL18 9EH
Status:open
Opened:22 January 2025

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 7 months ago

Report card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)

Achievement
Expected Standard
Behaviour
Strong Standard
Personal Development
Strong Standard
Leadership
Expected Standard
Inspected 3 February 2026View full report
URN:151205
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:South East Cornwall
Urban/Rural:Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Copper Fields School demonstrates strong safeguarding practices with staff who receive thorough training and clear guidance on their responsibilities. The new facilities have been thoughtfully designed with dedicated classrooms and specialist rooms including food technology, along with suitable outdoor spaces. The experienced leadership team has proven success in running special schools and is planning a gradual, sustainable approach to increasing pupil numbers while maintaining appropriate staffing levels.

Key Strengths

  • Safeguarding is prioritised with expert designated leads and comprehensive staff training on contextual issues like county lines and online safety
  • New accommodation is well-designed with six dedicated classrooms, specialist rooms, and suitable outdoor spaces for increased pupil numbers
  • Experienced leadership team with extensive track record running successful independent special schools
  • Thorough health and safety procedures including fire risk assessments and detailed record keeping
  • Clear supervision systems in place with plans to maintain high staff-to-pupil ratios as numbers grow

Areas for Improvement

  • External fire risk assessment for new building still pending (scheduled for 6 October 2025) and must be completed before pupils use new spaces

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective with clear policies, expert designated leads, comprehensive staff training, and strong working relationships with outside agencies to keep pupils safe from harm.

Copper Fields School is an independent special school in Cornwall that caters for pupils with autism and similar conditions. The inspection assessed whether the school can safely accommodate an increase in pupil numbers from 24 to 60.

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Getting There

Train Stations

Gunnislake Rail Station (Entrance)
342m · 6 min walk

Bus Stops

Moorland Way (S-bound)
10m · 0 min walk
Delaware Road (E-bound)
38m · 1 min walk
Delaware Court (W-bound)
100m · 2 min walk
Station Road (E-bound)
235m · 4 min walk
Railway Station Sand Hill (NE-bound)
326m · 5 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

43%

Available places

26 pupils

60 capacity

34 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - Gunnislake

Low pressure
New homes approved:128
Projected new pupils:23

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Gunnislake

Admissions Demand - Cornwall

Low demand0.87x oversubscription

Places available

6,490

Applications

5,640

Got 1st preference

97.1%

Got preferred school

99.5%

Secondary admissions across Cornwall (2025/26)

Inspection History(3)

3 February 2026Report card
Achievement
Behaviour
Personal Development
Leadership
24 September 2025
11 December 2024

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