G.E.M Hereford, Hereford
G.E.M Hereford is a special school for pupils aged 8 to 18 in Hereford. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2024. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in September 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
G.E.M Hereford in detail
G.E.M Hereford in its own words
In its own words: "At GEM Hereford we recognise and celebrate the individuality of every student. We are committed to creating a learning environment that is safe, supportive, and positive, where each young person can thrive. Our goal is to enable the best possible academic outcomes while equipping students with the personal skills and confidence needed for their next steps in life."
From the headteacher's welcome: "GEM Hereford is an independent, co-educational school providing a meaningful and bespoke education within a supportive and nurturing environment. We are passionate about helping every student reach their full potential by building resilience, encouraging self-regulation, and fostering strong, trusting relationships. At GEM Hereford, we understand that every child is unique."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to G.E.M Hereford are The Brookfield School (0.5 miles); Pathway Schools Limited (0.7 miles); Barrs Court School (1.5 miles, Outstanding); and Royal National College for the Blind (1.6 miles, Good).
The Brookfield SchoolPathway Schools LimitedBarrs Court SchoolRoyal National College for the Blind
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at G.E.M Hereford has an education, health and care plan (26 of 26 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hereford Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Moor Farm Lane (ne-bound), 100 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 69 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Herefordshire, County of (4), as is usual near a town centre.
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 · 1 year 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 Insights
From Ofsted's September 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
G.E.M Hereford specializes in supporting pupils with complex needs including autism, ADHD, anxiety and trauma. The school maintains small class sizes with high staff ratios, ensuring pupils receive personalized attention. Leadership has thoughtfully planned the school's expansion to meet local authority demand while protecting the wellbeing of current pupils.
Key Strengths
- Comprehensive safeguarding policy implemented effectively with strong staff training and procedures
- Well-considered expansion plans with gradual, managed growth that accounts for impact on existing pupils
- High staff ratios during learning and social times with small class sizes maintained
- Premises at both sites renovated to high standard with excellent facilities including medical rooms, suitable toilets, outdoor spaces and sports access
- Secure recruitment procedures with all required pre-employment checks completed
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective - the school has a compliant policy published on its website, provides comprehensive training to staff, reviews concerns appropriately, and intends to maintain equally robust procedures at the additional premises.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports facilities access, physical education lessons
G.E.M Hereford is an independent special school for pupils aged 8-18 with autism, ADHD, anxiety and trauma-related needs. The school is likely to meet all relevant independent school standards if its proposed material change to expand from 17 to 42 pupils is approved.
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 G.E.M Hereford
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 8
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 5 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot.
3 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 Herefordshire, County of is 2 (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
62%
Available places
26 pupils
42 places
16 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Hereford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Hereford
Across Herefordshire, County of council
Places available
1,920
Applications
1,685
Got 1st preference
91.9%
Got preferred school
98.2%
All secondary applications across Herefordshire, County of council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
26
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
G.E.M Hereford 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
26
Total Pupils
17
Boys
9
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about G.E.M Hereford
What is G.E.M Hereford's Ofsted rating?
G.E.M Hereford's most recent Ofsted inspection, in September 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2024, it was rated Good.
Does G.E.M Hereford meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2024, G.E.M Hereford met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to G.E.M Hereford?
G.E.M Hereford has around 26 pupils on roll.
Does G.E.M Hereford have specialist SEN provision?
G.E.M Hereford is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to G.E.M Hereford?
G.E.M Hereford 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 G.E.M Hereford?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 5 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot. 3 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 Herefordshire, County of is 2 (the median across 115 schools, same distance and years).
Where is G.E.M Hereford?
G.E.M Hereford is at Trinity House, 31 Barricombe Drive, Hereford, HR4 0NU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)