IncludEd Learning, Manchester
IncludEd Learning is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in Manchester. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2024. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in September 2026 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
IncludEd Learning in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to IncludEd Learning are SMS Changing Lives School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, selective); Pinc College (0.9 miles, Good); Manchester Hospital School (1.2 miles, Good); and St John Vianney RC School (1.2 miles, Good).
SMS Changing Lives SchoolPinc CollegeManchester Hospital SchoolSt John Vianney RC School
Who goes there
In 2026, 2 pupils (12.5%) received SEN support and 14 (87.5%) had an education, health and care plan.
IncludEd Learning 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 tram or metro stop is Cornbrook (Manchester Metrolink), about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Moss Lane West, 30 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 month 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 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
IncludEd Learning provides tailored education for pupils with disrupted learning histories, using responsive teaching that quickly addresses gaps. The school offers a comprehensive post-16 programme combining academic study, practical vocational training, and life skills to prepare older students well for independence and employment. Staff understand each pupil's individual needs through careful assessment and work closely with families to support successful transitions.
Key Strengths
- Strong leadership with secure understanding of safeguarding and operational needs for expansion
- Responsive teaching that addresses pupils' low starting points and gaps in learning promptly
- Well-planned post-16 curriculum with clear focus on functional skills, independence and transition to further education or employment
- Thorough assessment systems that use pupil information to identify barriers and select effective strategies
- Comprehensive safeguarding policies with regular staff training and strong culture of vigilance
Areas for Improvement
- Recording systems for safeguarding incidents need further development to ensure information is centralised
- Need to recruit additional specialist staff to strengthen therapeutic curriculum provision
- Monitoring and evaluation systems being strengthened to gain clearer insights into effectiveness of expanded provision
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with suitable policies in place, comprehensive staff training covering local risks, clear reporting procedures, and regular leadership checks to maintain vigilance.
Extracurricular Activities
Pamper days, afternoon tea for community, cultural events, community activities, outdoor learning, charity work, work-based learning, travel training, vocational options in hospitality, childcare and animal care, cooking, employability training
IncludEd Learning is an independent school that has applied to expand its age range from 11-16 to 11-18 and increase capacity to 25 pupils. The inspection found the school is likely to meet independent school standards if these material changes are approved.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Approved
Section 41
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with IncludEd Learning
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 58
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 11
- Children hurt
- 4
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 58 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 11 serious and 47 slight.
4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
14 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 Manchester is 22 (the median across 222 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
64%
Available places
16 pupils
25 places
9 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Manchester
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Manchester
Across Manchester council
Places available
7,220
Applications
6,542
Got 1st preference
77.1%
Got preferred school
94.7%
All secondary applications across Manchester council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
2
SEN Support
14
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
IncludEd Learning 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: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
16
Total Pupils
0
Boys
16
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
IncludEd Learning
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about IncludEd Learning
What is IncludEd Learning's Ofsted rating?
IncludEd Learning's most recent Ofsted inspection, in September 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in December 2024, it was rated Good.
Does IncludEd Learning meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in December 2024, IncludEd Learning met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to IncludEd Learning?
IncludEd Learning has around 16 pupils on roll.
Does IncludEd Learning have specialist SEN provision?
IncludEd Learning 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 IncludEd Learning?
IncludEd Learning 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 IncludEd Learning?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 58 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 11 serious and 47 slight. 4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 14 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 Manchester is 22 (the median across 222 schools, same distance and years).
Where is IncludEd Learning?
IncludEd Learning is at 8 Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8ER.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)