Minerva May School, Horley

Special
Other independent special school
Mixed
Ages 1117

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr Melvin George
Pupils:29 / 70 capacity
LA:Surrey
Phone:01293222502
Address:Dovenby Hall, Balcombe Road, Horley, RH6 9UU
Status:open
Opened:8 April 2025

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 4 months ago

Report card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)

Achievement
Expected Standard
Behaviour
Strong Standard
Personal Development
Strong Standard
Leadership
Expected Standard
Inspected 19 May 2026View full report
URN:151489
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Dorking and Horley
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Minerva May School provides a nurturing environment for vulnerable young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school has invested in high-quality facilities and refurbished premises that provide spacious, comfortable learning spaces. Leaders are thoughtfully managing the school's expansion to ensure it does not negatively impact the wellbeing of current pupils and staff.

Key Strengths

  • Strong safeguarding culture with secure systems for recording and escalating concerns
  • Comprehensive health and safety policies with regular checks and fire safety compliance
  • High levels of appropriate pupil supervision with well-qualified staff
  • Spacious, well-maintained premises with suitable facilities including medical room, sensory room and art room
  • Strong leadership with clear plans to manage pupil expansion gradually to protect vulnerable pupils

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective - the school has a positive safeguarding culture with appropriate staff training, secure systems to record and escalate concerns, and staff understand their responsibilities well.

Minerva May School is a special independent school for pupils aged 11-17 with social, emotional and mental health needs, moderate learning difficulties and autism. The school is likely to meet all relevant independent school standards following its material change application to expand from 34 to 70 pupils.

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Getting There

Train Stations

Gatwick Airport Rail Station (east entrance)
897m · 15 min walk
Horley Rail Station (side entrance)
1.2km · 20 min walk

Tube / Metro / Tram

Gatwick South Terminal Shuttle Station
932m · 15 min walk

Bus Stops

Jai Ho (opp)
165m · 3 min walk
Meadowcroft Close (W-bound)
348m · 6 min walk
Courtyard Marriott Hotel (o/s)
489m · 8 min walk
Balcombe Road South (SE-bound)
587m · 10 min walk
South Terminal Coach Station (Stand 2)
825m · 13 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

41%

Available places

29 pupils

70 capacity

41 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - Horley

High pressure
New homes approved:507
Projected new pupils:91

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Horley

Admissions Demand - Surrey

Low demand0.98x oversubscription

Places available

12,562

Applications

12,278

Got 1st preference

80.6%

Got preferred school

95.3%

Secondary admissions across Surrey (2025/26)

Inspection History(3)

19 May 2026Report card
Achievement
Behaviour
Personal Development
Leadership
26 November 2025
18 February 2025

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