Dukes Wood School, Kirklington
Dukes Wood School is a special school for pupils aged 9 to 17 in Kirklington. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, ended in a report card: 6 expected standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2023.
- Ofsted report card
- 0 of 6 areas strong or better
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Dukes Wood School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades Dukes Wood School on 6 areas: 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Expected standard. "When pupils join the school, they are largely working well below the standards that are expected for their age."
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "The school works with determination to help pupils to overcome their previous negative experiences of education that have led to their low attendance, or school refusal."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Curriculum development continues to be a key aspect of the school's school improvement work."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school is welcoming and highly inclusive."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have worked with determination and focus to steer the school through a challenging time."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school regards the personal development and wellbeing offer as a linchpin in their work."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "The school should continue to review and adapt the curriculum to ensure that it provides pupils with the skills and knowledge they need for the next stage in their education"; "Leaders should ensure that staff have the skills they need to effectively engage pupils in their learning"; "Leaders should continue to check that the school's approach for improving attendance impacts positively on pupils who have the lowest attendance".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Who goes there
In 2026, 6 pupils (12.2%) received SEN support and 43 (87.8%) had an education, health and care plan.
Dukes Wood School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Dukes Wood School.
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 Nottinghamshire (101).
Sources: 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 · 4 months 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's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Dukes Wood School
Pupils develop a deep sense of belonging at Wings School, Notts. They appreciate the care and kindness that staff show for them and are confident that they are known and accepted by others. Many pupils have struggled to engage in education in the past and may have been out of school for some time. Now, they describe how their attitudes to school are changing because they feel well supported to overcome their personal challenges. They feel safe in school and routinely identify that their relationships with staff are the best thing about the school. This is because they have absolute confidence that staff will help them whatever the problem is. This sense of security begins from the moment pupils arrive at school in the morning. Staff welcome them on site and over breakfast, take time to talk about any worries or concerns they may have. Staff respond sensitively to this information and use it to shape pupils' days. Pupils also learn to manage their feelings and increasingly take responsibility for their actions. They recognise when they need to take a short break from their lessons to stay calm, such as a walk or a visit to the school's llamas. Pupils use this privilege sensibly and promptly return to their learning activities. Pupils develop the personal skills they need to work and socialise with others. As their confidence and resilience improve, they are more able to cope with the demands of the school day and form positive relationships with their peers. Typically, the school day is calm because pupils behave well. This means that pupils can get on with their learning without distraction. As a result of the school's work pupils learn to value their education and are excited about the potential their futures hold.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- The school should continue to review and adapt the curriculum to ensure that it provides pupils with the skills and knowledge they need for the next stage in their education.
- Leaders should ensure that staff have the skills they need to effectively engage pupils in their learning.
- Leaders should continue to check that the school's approach for improving attendance impacts positively on pupils who have the lowest attendance.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 30 June 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Wings School creates a genuinely welcoming and caring environment where pupils who have struggled with education before develop real confidence and belief in themselves. The school combines specialist pastoral support and therapy with good teaching, extensive enrichment activities like sports and arts, and practical career guidance to help pupils succeed both in and beyond school. Staff build strong, trusting relationships with pupils and help them understand they have a fresh start each day.
Key Strengths
- Highly inclusive and welcoming environment where pupils feel safe, supported and develop a strong sense of belonging
- Effective pastoral care and therapeutic support combined with academic learning helps pupils overcome barriers and build confidence
- Broad, balanced curriculum enhanced by extensive grounds, visitors and trips including activities like climbing Mount Snowdon
- Strong safeguarding culture with high behaviour expectations, positive relationships between staff and pupils, and swift action against bullying
- Excellent outcomes with pupils gaining appropriate qualifications and moving on to further education
Areas for Improvement
- Further adaptation of the curriculum needed to ensure it is closely matched to pupils' individual needs and contexts
- Some less experienced staff still developing skills in engaging pupils effectively in their learning
- Flexible attendance approach for severely absent pupils is at early stage - more time needed to measure its impact
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Paddling, trampolining, swimming, DJ sessions, dance, photography, Mount Snowdon climbing, university and college visits
Wings School Notts is a specialist school for pupils with Education, Health and Care plans that has made significant improvements under strong leadership. The school successfully supports pupils who have previously struggled with education, helping them make steady progress and achieve well both personally and academically.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Approved
Section 41
No
Special Measures
Keep up with Dukes Wood School
Getting There
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 Nottinghamshire is 10 (the median across 370 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
82%
Available places
49 pupils
60 places
11 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across Nottinghamshire council
Places available
9,842
Applications
9,200
Got 1st preference
92.5%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across Nottinghamshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(11)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
6
SEN Support
43
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Dukes Wood School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
49
Total Pupils
35
Boys
14
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Dukes Wood School
Questions parents ask about Dukes Wood School
What are GCSE results like at Dukes Wood 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 Dukes Wood School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Dukes Wood School's Ofsted rating?
Dukes Wood School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2023, it was rated Good.
Does Dukes Wood School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2023, Dukes Wood School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Dukes Wood School?
Dukes Wood School has around 49 pupils on roll.
Does Dukes Wood School have specialist SEN provision?
Dukes Wood School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
How do I apply to Dukes Wood School?
Dukes Wood 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 Dukes Wood 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 Nottinghamshire is 10 (the median across 370 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Dukes Wood School?
Dukes Wood School is at Main Street, Kirklington, Kirklington, Nottinghamshire, NG22 8NB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)