Elmbank Learning Centre, Stockton on Tees
Elmbank Learning Centre is a special school for girls aged 7 to 18 in Stockton on Tees. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2024.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Elmbank Learning Centre in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Elmbank Learning Centre are King Edwin School (1.2 miles, Good); Kiora Hall (1.3 miles, Good); Ash Trees Academy (1.5 miles, Good); and Abbey Hill Academy (1.9 miles, Good).
King Edwin SchoolKiora HallAsh Trees AcademyAbbey Hill Academy
Who goes there
In 2026, 3 pupils (75%) received SEN support and 1 (25%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Billingham Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Elmbank Learning Centre stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 17 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Stockton-on-Tees (204).
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 · 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's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Attending Elmbank Learning Centre is life-changing for pupils. They join the school often having had a turbulent time. Many pupils arrive at the school after significant periods of disrupted education. Regardless of this, they are welcomed into a nurturing and supportive environment as soon as they arrive.
Staff take the time to get to know the pupils individually. They skilfully guide and support pupils to develop confidence in themselves and their studies. Pupils build trust in adults and quickly see themselves succeed. From the time that they join Elmbank, pupils rarely miss a day of school. Pupils are highly respectful to one another. They make the most of the opportunities on offer and flourish in this small rural setting.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school has an ambitious curriculum that reflects its high aspirations for all pupils. This curriculum is highly personalised to allow all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to study a broad range of subjects. The proprietor group ensures that pupils are taught by specialists in each subject. Teachers ask skilful questions to check pupils' understanding. They use assessment well to determine the appropriate learning activities for each pupil. Pupils gain accredited qualifications in a variety of subjects. Some pupils achieve qualifications that enable them to access further education.
Pupils' personal development is catered for extremely well. The curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge and understanding to thrive in modern society. Pupils explore challenging but important topics such as relationships, religion, and gender. They consider these with maturity, sensitivity, and respect. Pupils listen carefully to conflicting views and reflect on their previous experiences. Personal tutors support pupils to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. Pupils benefit from this and develop important life skills such as balancing a budget. The therapy provision in school complements the academic and personal development curriculum. The school provides these experiences in a coherently planned way. These considerably strengthen the school's offer to pupils.
From Ofsted's June 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its June 2024 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Elmbank Learning Centre
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 Stockton-on-Tees is 9 (the median across 87 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
67%
Available places
4 pupils
6 places
2 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Stockton on Tees
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Stockton on Tees
Across Stockton-on-Tees council
Places available
2,586
Applications
2,216
Got 1st preference
94.8%
Got preferred school
99.5%
All secondary applications across Stockton-on-Tees council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
3
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Elmbank Learning Centre 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
4
Total Pupils
0
Boys
4
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Elmbank Learning Centre
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Elmbank Learning Centre
What is Elmbank Learning Centre's Ofsted rating?
Elmbank Learning Centre was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024.
Does Elmbank Learning Centre meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2024, Elmbank Learning Centre met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Elmbank Learning Centre?
Elmbank Learning Centre has around 4 pupils on roll.
Does Elmbank Learning Centre have specialist SEN provision?
Elmbank Learning Centre is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Elmbank Learning Centre?
Elmbank Learning Centre 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 Elmbank Learning Centre?
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 Stockton-on-Tees is 9 (the median across 87 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Elmbank Learning Centre?
Elmbank Learning Centre is at Viewly Hill Farm, Stockton on Tees, Stockton on Tees, TS20 1PQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)