Glasshouse College, Stourbridge
Glasshouse College is a special school for pupils aged 16 to 25 in Stourbridge. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2021. That was 5 years ago, so the rating may not reflect the school today.
- Ofsted
- Good (2021)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Glasshouse College in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Glasshouse College are The Brier School (1.6 miles); The Old Park School (1.6 miles); The Old Park School (1.6 miles, Outstanding); and Sunny Hill School (1.6 miles).
The Brier SchoolThe Old Park SchoolThe Old Park SchoolSunny Hill School
Who goes there
Glasshouse College provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and moderate learning difficulties. Glasshouse College 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
The nearest railway station is Stourbridge Town Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is High Street (after), 40 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 11 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards: met
By type of provision
| Provision | Curriculum, teaching and training | Achievement | Participation and development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provision for learners and apprentices with high needs | Expected standard | Expected standard | Expected standard |
Source: Ofsted, further education and skills inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Glasshouse College excels at building confidence and independence in students with complex needs through high-quality craft teaching and therapeutic support. Students thrive in a caring, inclusive environment where they develop practical vocational skills, achieve external qualifications, and participate meaningfully in their community. The college's heritage craft programmes and outdoor education provide unique learning opportunities that help prepare students well for their next steps into work or further education.
Key Strengths
- Strong inclusive culture with expert support for students facing disadvantage and those known to social care
- Exceptional craft and vocational teaching, including glassblowing, farming and heritage skills, with students achieving high-quality work
- Excellent pastoral care and staff development with focus on student and staff wellbeing
- Effective use of therapies, job coaches and work experience to build confidence and independence
- Students feel valued and experience a strong sense of belonging with meaningful community involvement
Areas for Improvement
- Need to expand external employer links and work experience opportunities beyond internal placements to help more students secure employment
- Health and wellbeing curriculum not planned well enough - students cannot confidently recall important topics like healthy relationships and safeguarding
- Limited opportunities for students to develop digital skills needed for workplace and personal life
- Some written resources lack quality and tailoring to individual student needs
- Feedback in a few instances does not clearly explain how students can improve
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed, helping learners feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Residential trips, educational visits, guest speakers, student council meetings, celebration events, community projects, outdoor area design and building, narrowboat activities, work placements with local heritage craft employers, college shop and visitors centre work
Glasshouse College is an independent specialist college for young people aged 16-25 with complex needs, including autism spectrum conditions, offering practical craft skills and therapeutic support across heritage glassmaking, land-based and traditional craft programmes.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
SEMH, MLD
SEN Provision
Approved
Section 41
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Glasshouse College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Glasshouse College from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Glasshouse College is in Dudley; for families living there:
- How to apply: Apply for Education Travel Support
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 26
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 4
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 26 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 19 slight.
4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
4 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 Dudley is 18 (the median across 118 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
Area Demand Pressure - Stourbridge
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Stourbridge
Across Dudley council
Places available
3,620
Applications
3,570
Got 1st preference
87.1%
Got preferred school
98.0%
All secondary applications across Dudley council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(9)
Further education and skills inspection (renewed framework)
Further education and skills inspection
Special educational needs provision
Glasshouse College provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and moderate learning difficulties.
Glasshouse College 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: Get Information about Schools (GIAS), Department for Education.
Questions parents ask about Glasshouse College
What is Glasshouse College's Ofsted rating?
Glasshouse College's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2025, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2021, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Glasshouse College?
No fixed boundary. When Glasshouse College is oversubscribed, Dudley allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Does Glasshouse College have specialist SEN provision?
Glasshouse College provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and moderate learning difficulties. Glasshouse College 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 Glasshouse College?
Apply through Dudley's coordinated admissions process, naming Glasshouse College on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Glasshouse College?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 26 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 19 slight. 4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 4 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 Dudley is 18 (the median across 118 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Glasshouse College?
Glasshouse College is at Wollaston Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 4HF.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)