High Grange School, Mickleover
High Grange School is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 19 in Mickleover. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, ended in a report card: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Before that it was rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in June 2023.
- Ofsted report card
- 6 of 7 areas strong or better
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
High Grange School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 16 June 2026 inspection grades High Grange School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Strong standard. "Over time and from a broad range of starting points, pupils progress and achieve very well."
Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "The school is highly effective in ensuring that pupils are happy and feel confident about attending school."
Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school has expertise in autism."
Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a meticulous understanding of the school."
Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school provides a rich and well-considered personal development programme that is carefully tailored to the needs of its pupils."
Post-16 provision - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a clear and ambitious post-16 provision that prepares students well for adulthood."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Across all subjects, the school's curriculum is well planned and sequenced."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "The school should continue to develop its curriculum for early reading and writing, including for phonics and handwriting, so that gaps in pupils' essential knowledge are consistently identified and addressed quickly at an early stage".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
High Grange School in its own words
In its own words: "Since opening in September 2011, High Grange School has grown in size and reputation and is now an Outstanding (Ofsted 2023) specialist, independent school for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Here at High Grange School, we are proud to have developed our ACE ethos."
The school runs after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to High Grange School are St Clare's School (1.7 miles, Outstanding); Ivy House School (1.8 miles, Outstanding); Maple View School (2.3 miles, Outstanding); and Longdon Park School (3.2 miles).
St Clare's SchoolIvy House SchoolMaple View SchoolLongdon Park School
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at High Grange School has an education, health and care plan (94 of 94 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Willington Rail Station, about 3 miles away in a straight line.
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kingfisher Close (adjacent), 180 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood High Grange School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 7th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 33 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).
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 · 4 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
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 card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at High Grange School
As per the school's ethos and approach, pupils are consistently taught and supported to be adaptable in their thinking, develop their communication skills and secure their emotional wellbeing (ACE). The school does this well. As a result, the barriers that pupils face to their learning and/or wellbeing are systematically addressed over time. Pupils are thoroughly prepared for life beyond the school. They develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand what autism is, what this means for them and to become active members of society that make a positive contribution. The school's detailed knowledge and understanding of pupils' needs lead to highly positive behaviour in and around the school. Education staff and experts from the extensive multidisciplinary team work seamlessly together to ensure that pupils receive the academic and specialist support that they need. As a result, pupils enjoy their time in school, attend regularly and have highly positive relationships with adults. They thrive within the caring and supportive ethos that leaders have created. Pupils are kept safe and feel safe. Bullying is rare and is dealt with robustly should it occur. Pupils develop resilience and are supported to find their voice. They are encouraged to, and are eager to, make a positive contribution to their school community. They are quick to highlight to leaders when they believe their views have not been considered on important decisions that affect them. Pupils develop their interests, talents and confidence through an extensive and inclusive enrichment offer. Pupils attend a wide range of clubs, events, competitions and community experiences, which contributes strongly to their personal development. Over time, pupils achieve highly. The school has a strong track record of supporting pupils to gain qualifications and accreditations. Academically, the school performs very well. School records show that the overwhelming majority of pupils are meaningfully engaged in education, employment or training when they leave school. Leaders track this over time to ensure that former pupils continue to thrive.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- The school should continue to develop its curriculum for early reading and writing, including for phonics and handwriting, so that gaps in pupils' essential knowledge are consistently identified and addressed quickly at an early stage.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 16 June 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
High Grange School excels at supporting pupils with autism and those with complex needs, helping them develop confidence and resilience. Staff are highly skilled at understanding each child's individual needs and providing expert therapeutic support alongside academic learning. Pupils develop strong social skills, participate enthusiastically in a wide range of activities, and leave school well prepared for employment, further education or independent living.
Key Strengths
- Expert support for pupils with autism and trauma, with seamless connection between therapeutic services and academic learning
- Excellent attendance and behaviour, with positive pupil attitudes and strong relationships between staff and pupils
- Highly personalised education plans (My ACE targets) focusing on adaptive thinking, communication and emotional wellbeing
- Rich personal development programme with extensive clubs, sports, performances and community involvement
- Strong leadership with clear vision, excellent staff wellbeing, and high regard from the school community
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and acted upon.
Extracurricular Activities
Dungeons and dragons club, pride club, debating club, computing club, sporting competitions, community projects, performances, swimming pool access, sports hall activities, winter showcase, spring talent show, summer fayre, work-related learning, employer engagement activities
High Grange School is an autism specialist school that supports pupils from a wide range of starting points to thrive, with strong achievement across academics and personal development. The school has established expertise in creating an inclusive, supportive environment where pupils progress very well and are well prepared for their next steps.
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 High Grange School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 4
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 2 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 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 Derbyshire is 6 (the median across 454 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
95%
Near capacity
94 pupils
99 places
5 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Mickleover
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Mickleover
Across Derbyshire council
Places available
8,818
Applications
7,971
Got 1st preference
94.5%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across Derbyshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(8)
Independent School standard inspection
Met all the independent school standards.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
94
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
High Grange 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
94
Total Pupils
63
Boys
31
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about High Grange School
What are GCSE results like at High Grange School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for High Grange School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is High Grange School's Ofsted rating?
High Grange School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2023, it was rated Outstanding.
Does High Grange School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2023, High Grange School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to High Grange School?
High Grange School has around 94 pupils on roll.
Does High Grange School have specialist SEN provision?
High Grange School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to High Grange School?
High Grange 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 High Grange School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 2 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 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 Derbyshire is 6 (the median across 454 schools, same distance and years).
Where is High Grange School?
High Grange School is at Hospital Lane, Mickleover, Derbyshire, DE3 0DR.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)