Henry David Learning Woodfield School, Lutterworth
Henry David Learning Woodfield School is a special school for pupils aged 7 to 19 in Lutterworth. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, ended in a report card: 6 expected standard. Before that it was rated Requires improvement at its last graded inspection, in January 2024.
- Ofsted report card
- 0 of 6 areas strong or better
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Henry David Learning Woodfield School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 10 March 2026 inspection grades Henry David Learning Woodfield 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. "Across the school, pupils make steady progress through the curriculum from their starting points."
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "The school has high expectations of pupils' attendance, and this is communicated to pupils and parents and carers."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school has rightly prioritised the development of a broad and ambitious curriculum since the previous inspection."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school works effectively with external agencies and parents and carers to identify the barriers that may prevent pupils from learning well."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the school's context well."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development and wellbeing offer plays an essential part in the work the school does to ensure that pupils are well prepared for next steps and to overcome personal challenges."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that all staff can access the detail of the sequence of learning for each subject beyond the content of the curriculum for the class they are responsible for"; "Leaders should continue to work closely with families and appropriate external agencies to improve the attendance of a few pupils"; "The school should ensure that pupils gain a greater understanding of the beliefs of other faiths and religions".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Henry David Learning Woodfield School in its own words
In its own words: "What is it like to attend Woodfield School? ‘Pupils are proud to be part of the school’s welcoming and inclusive learning environment. They appreciate the care that staff show for them and the interest they take in their learning and lives.’ ‘Pupils enjoy positive relationships with the adults in school."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Henry David Learning Woodfield School are Lodge Farm Education (2.9 miles, Good, selective); The Fusion Academy (5.2 miles, Good); and Foxfields Academy (5.9 miles, Good).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Henry David Learning Woodfield School has an education, health and care plan (35 of 35 in 2026).
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Henry David Learning Woodfield School.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Leicestershire (58).
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 · 7 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since January 2026 for independent schools)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- InclusionExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: met
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 Henry David Learning Woodfield School
Pupils are proud to be a part of the school's welcoming and inclusive learning environment. They appreciate the care that staff show for them and the interest they take in their learning and lives. They explain how staff help them to overcome personal barriers so that they can engage successfully in school life and learn well. They relish the praise they receive when they experience success. Pupils increasingly understand the value of learning. Older pupils are keen to gain qualifications so that they have the skills and knowledge they need to progress to their preferred college courses or vocational routes. Pupils enjoy coming to school, and as a result, the attendance of many pupils has improved significantly. The school has high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils are reminded to use the language of good manners, such as ‘thank you', ‘excuse me', ‘please' and, when appropriate, ‘sorry'. Staff provide pupils with expert support to manage their emotions so that they are ready to learn. Pupils access a range of resources and strategies to cope when they experience big feelings such as frustration, anger, sadness or worry. Typically, the school day is calm, and pupils learn successfully without distraction. Staff are ambitious that all pupils will be well prepared for adult life. This preparation begins as soon as pupils join the school. Pupils develop increasingly positive attitudes to learning, and learn how to work as a team, how to problem-solve and how to interact in a positive way with others. They are encouraged to have their say respectfully. They learn the art of debate, and older pupils discuss relevant and challenging topics. The school wastes no time in alerting pupils to future careers. Older pupils have meaningful work experience based on their personal interests. Visits, such as from an Antarctic explorer, a firefighter and a plumber, help pupils to see the future possibilities for their lives.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should ensure that all staff can access the detail of the sequence of learning for each subject beyond the content of the curriculum for the class they are responsible for.
- Leaders should continue to work closely with families and appropriate external agencies to improve the attendance of a few pupils.
- The school should ensure that pupils gain a greater understanding of the beliefs of other faiths and religions.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 10 March 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Henry David Learning Woodfield School excels at creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where pupils feel cared for and supported to overcome personal barriers. Staff are highly trained and ambitious for all pupils, delivering a well-structured curriculum with strong emphasis on reading and practical life skills. The school prepares pupils exceptionally well for their future through work placements, careers guidance and opportunities to develop independence.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with daily phonics sessions and a wide range of texts
- Effective inclusion support with tailored targets and reasonable adjustments for all pupils
- High expectations for behaviour and attendance with calm, purposeful school days
- Well-trained staff with appropriate subject knowledge who adapt the curriculum to meet pupils' needs
- Strong preparation for adulthood including work placements, CV writing and careers guidance
Areas for Improvement
- Staff need better visibility of the full learning sequence across subjects and year groups
- Attendance remains stubbornly low for a small number of pupils despite improvement strategies
- Pupils' understanding of other faiths and religions is more limited than other aspects of personal development
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Museums, zoo, Space Centre, local theatres, outdoor area activities, Christmas meal planning, sports day, work placements, litter picking, recycling initiatives
Henry David Learning Woodfield School is a special school where pupils make steady progress through a broad and ambitious curriculum. The school has made significant positive changes since the previous inspection, with pupils thriving in a purposeful and respectful environment.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Social & online
Keep up with Henry David Learning Woodfield 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 Leicestershire is 3 (the median across 329 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
70%
Available places
35 pupils
50 places
15 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Lutterworth
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Lutterworth
Across Leicestershire council
Places available
8,516
Applications
7,490
Got 1st preference
90.2%
Got preferred school
98.1%
All secondary applications across Leicestershire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(4)
Independent School standard inspection
Met all the independent school standards.
Independent School standard inspection
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
35
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Henry David Learning Woodfield School 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
35
Total Pupils
29
Boys
6
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Henry David Learning Woodfield School
Questions parents ask about Henry David Learning Woodfield School
What is Henry David Learning Woodfield School's Ofsted rating?
Henry David Learning Woodfield School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2024, it was rated Requires Improvement.
Does Henry David Learning Woodfield School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in March 2026, Henry David Learning Woodfield School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Henry David Learning Woodfield School?
Henry David Learning Woodfield School has around 35 pupils on roll.
Does Henry David Learning Woodfield School have specialist SEN provision?
Henry David Learning Woodfield School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Henry David Learning Woodfield School?
Henry David Learning Woodfield 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 Henry David Learning Woodfield 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 Leicestershire is 3 (the median across 329 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Henry David Learning Woodfield School?
Henry David Learning Woodfield School is at The Dutch Barn, Main Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5EE.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)