Marlborough School, Sidcup
Marlborough School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Sidcup. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in June 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2013)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Marlborough School in detail
Marlborough School in its own words
In its own words: "Our vision is to achieve excellence where innovation, equality and wellbeing are at the heart of all we do. Our Mission is to effectively meet all our student's unique and holistic needs, enable them to thrive and prepare effectively for adulthood."
From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of the students, staff and governors, I would like to welcome you to our school. Marlborough School is a split site secondary special school for 85 students with severe and complex needs in the London Borough of Bexley. Our site at Marlborough Park Avenue is for 60 students on our Orchard and Meadow pathways aged 11-19."
The school runs after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Marlborough School are Cleeve Meadow School (1.1 miles, Good); Park View Academy (1.5 miles, Good); Aspire Academy (1.7 miles, Good); and Social Arts for Education (1.9 miles, Good).
Cleeve Meadow SchoolPark View AcademyAspire AcademySocial Arts for Education
Where pupils go next
Of the 17 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 94% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.
Who goes there
33.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 39.1% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Black (32%), White British (29%) and Asian (12%).
Almost every pupil at Marlborough School has an education, health and care plan (92 of 92 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Marlborough School provides for pupils with autism, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Sidcup Station, about 810 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Marlborough Park Avenue, 310 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Marlborough School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 153 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bexley (284).
Suspensions and exclusions
Marlborough School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoThis judgement is from January 2013, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school has improved significantly.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Marlborough School excels at understanding and meeting each pupil's unique needs through carefully planned, individualised learning. Staff are highly trained experts who teach communication skills in practical, everyday situations - from choosing snacks to using switches to request activities. The school goes far beyond academics, preparing pupils for independence and adulthood through life skills, enriching visits, and work experience opportunities.
Key Strengths
- Exceptionally high quality, tailored education that meets each pupil's individual needs and starting points
- Expert staff who use a wide range of communication strategies adapted to individual pupils, including symbols, photographs, gestures and speech
- Outstanding approach to behaviour management with thoughtfully adapted classroom environments and well-established routines
- Extensive enrichment activities including creative arts weeks, residential stays, work experience at local park, football club and café
- Strong leadership that has improved standards through staff development and training
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders prioritising pupil safety and creating an open and positive safeguarding culture.
Extracurricular Activities
Creative arts weeks, residential overnight stays, work experience at local park/football club/café, theatre visits, museum visits
Marlborough School is a wonderfully nurturing special school where pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism are kept safe by well-qualified and caring staff. Evidence suggests the school's work has improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection.
At a Glance
33.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Autism, SLD, PMLD
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Marlborough School
2026 Summer Term #2
17 Jul 2026
2026 Summer Term #1
4 Jun 2026
2026 Spring Term #2
27 Mar 2026
2026 Spring Term #1
13 Feb 2026
2025 Autumn Term #2
6 Jan 2026
2025 Autumn Term #1
24 Oct 2025
From Marlborough School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Marlborough School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Marlborough School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Marlborough School is in Bexley; for families living there:
Apply to Bexley for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 19
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 14 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 1 on a bicycle.
5 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 Bexley is 28.5 (the median across 92 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
108%
Over capacity
92 pupils
85 places
7 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Sidcup
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Sidcup
Across Bexley council
Places available
3,269
Applications
2,992
Got 1st preference
68.1%
Got preferred school
95.3%
All secondary applications across Bexley council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
92
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Marlborough School provides for pupils with autism, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
92
Total Pupils
64
Boys
28
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
18
Teachers
5.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£57,320
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
13.5%
Overall absence
34.0%
Persistent absence
47
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Marlborough School
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Marlborough School
What is Marlborough School's Ofsted rating?
Marlborough School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2013, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Marlborough School?
No fixed boundary. When Marlborough School is oversubscribed, Bexley allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Marlborough School?
Marlborough School has around 92 pupils on roll. 34% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Marlborough School have specialist SEN provision?
Marlborough School provides for pupils with autism, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at Marlborough School?
13.5% of sessions were missed at Marlborough School in 2024/25. 34% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Marlborough School?
Apply through Bexley's coordinated admissions process, naming Marlborough School 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 Marlborough School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 14 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 1 on a bicycle. 5 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 Bexley is 28.5 (the median across 92 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Marlborough School?
Marlborough School is at Marlborough Park Avenue, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9DP.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)