Ellesmere College, Leicester

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Ellesmere College on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Attendance reflects the complexity of pupils' needs."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is a clear strength of the school."

Post 16 provision - Strong standard. "The high-quality of the school's post-16 provision is a strength of its work."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well from their individual starting points, particularly in communication, personal development and independence."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a curriculum that reflects the complex needs of pupils and prioritises communication, emotional regulation and independence."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are determined in their commitment that pupils receive a high-quality education."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a broad and well-considered personal development programme that supports pupils' social, emotional and practical development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen curriculum sequencing, particularly in the 'Thrive' pathway, so that staff can clearly identify what pupils should learn, when knowledge is secured and how learning builds cumulatively beyond their individual targets"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching challenges pupils, so those who are ready to move on in their learning do so promptly"; "Leaders should clarify subject-specific starting points and progress measures, particularly in English and mathematics, so they can evaluate securely whether 'Thrive' pupils know more, remember more and can do more over time"; "Leaders should strengthen their monitoring and evaluation of personal development by systematically checking the take up of opportunities across all groups of pupils, so they can better understand participation and evaluate the impact of the school's work"; "Those responsible for governance should strengthen strategic challenge, holding leaders rigorously to account for the impact and pace of improvement in the quality of education and pupils' outcomes".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I feel utterly privileged to be the Executive Principal of such an inspirational school which specialises in nurturing the talents of both students and staff. We believe in, and actively promote, close links with families, whose children we are lucky enough to educate and care for across our sites."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, dance and cooking.

The nearest other special schools to Ellesmere College are Millgate School (1.5 miles); The Children's Hospital School (1.6 miles, Outstanding); The Goldhill Learning Foundation (1.8 miles, Good); and West Gate School (1.8 miles, Good).

Of the 36 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 14% to a further education college.

47.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 27.7% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (36%), Asian (29%) and Black (13%).

Almost every pupil at Ellesmere College has an education, health and care plan (440 of 441 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.

Ellesmere College provides for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties.

The nearest railway station is Leicester Rail Station, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ellesmere College (adjacent), 140 metres away.

In 2024/25, Ellesmere College issued 8 suspensions, 1.8 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.