Maple Ridge School, Basingstoke

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Maple Ridge School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff know pupils well, with a thorough understanding of their individual needs and capabilities."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise attendance through robust strategic oversight and collaboration with families and staff."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a curriculum that is broad and appropriately adapted to meet the varied needs of pupils across the school."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders place an appropriate emphasis on establishing foundations for future learning within the Reception class."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "All pupils have an education, health and care plan, and leaders and staff demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of individual pupils."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and those responsible for governance demonstrate effective strategic leadership, grounded in a secure understanding of the school's context, strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Personal development is embedded within the curriculum."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff develop their expertise to consistently deliver the intended curriculum to meet pupils' complex learning needs effectively, across the school"; "Leaders should refine systems and routines to support all pupils to consistently transition smoothly between activities so that they sustain their self-regulation and readiness to learn"; "Leaders should strengthen provision for activities at playtimes and lunchtimes, so that pupils have greater opportunities to develop their interests, extend their experiences, and improve their social interaction and engagement".

In its own words: "Working together to secure the most relevant education for all and believing anything is possible At Maple Ridge School, we aim to make a difference to all of our pupils and their families by ensuring that children are happy, feel safe and enjoy their school experience."

The nearest other special schools to Maple Ridge School are Dove House Academy (0.2 miles, Outstanding); Chiltern Way Academy Austen (0.7 miles, Requires improvement); Limington House School (1.5 miles, Good); and Saxon Wood School (1.6 miles, Good).

20.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 10.1% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (64%), Black (12%) and Asian (11%).

Almost every pupil at Maple Ridge School has an education, health and care plan (109 of 109 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.

Maple Ridge School provides for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

The nearest railway station is Basingstoke Rail Station, about 750 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Scotney Road (adjacent), 270 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 442 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hampshire (72), as is usual near a town centre.

Maple Ridge School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.