National Star College, Cheltenham
National Star College is a special school for pupils aged 16 to 99 in Cheltenham. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2023.
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
National Star College in detail
National Star College in its own words
In its own words: "At National Star, we’re a charity driven by our vision for a world in which people with disabilities are able to realise their potential as equal and active citizens in control of their lives. We are working with people with disabilities and their supporters to challenge stereotypes, raise aspirations and change attitudes."
Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026, an open evening on Wednesday 11 November 2026, an open day on Wednesday 11 November 2026 and an open day on Saturday 16 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Gloucestershire
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to National Star College are Bettridge School (2.7 miles, Good); Belmont School (2.7 miles); Brook Academy (2.8 miles); and Battledown School (3.7 miles, Good).
Bettridge SchoolBelmont SchoolBrook AcademyBattledown School
Who goes there
National Star College has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 200 places, 167 pupils on roll. National Star College 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
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of National Star College.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Star College (before), 80 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Source: Ofsted, further education and skills inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its January 2023 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Behaviour & attitudes.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Personal development, Leadership & management.
About
The National Star College is an independent specialist further education college for people with physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and associated learning difficulties. It is based at Ullenwood Manor in the village of Ullenwood, near the spa town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Resourced provision: Speech and language, Multi-sensory, Physical +1
SEN Provision
Approved
Section 41
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from National Star College
National Star Ullenwood and Bradbury Gardens receives CQC rating
25 Sep 2026
Foundation House receives top rating in Quality Review visit
15 Sep 2026
Sir Ed Davey backs National Star students’ call to be recognised as valued citizens
17 Jul 2026
Students inspire future AAC users at Cardiff Metropolitan University
14 Jul 2026
Award win helps to grow National Star’s reputation for sustainability
9 Jul 2026
From travel training to paid employment
2 Jul 2026
From National Star College's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with National Star College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to National Star College from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. National Star College is in Gloucestershire; for families living there:
Apply to Gloucestershire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 5
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 5 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 4 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
3 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 Gloucestershire is 5 (the median across 338 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
Area Demand Pressure - Cheltenham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Cheltenham
Across Gloucestershire council
Places available
7,977
Applications
6,517
Got 1st preference
86.8%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Gloucestershire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(10)
Special educational needs provision
National Star College has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 200 places, 167 pupils on roll.
National Star College 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: Get Information about Schools (GIAS), Department for Education.
Questions parents ask about National Star College
What is National Star College's Ofsted rating?
National Star College was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2023.
What is the catchment area for National Star College?
No fixed boundary. When National Star College is oversubscribed, Gloucestershire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Does National Star College have specialist SEN provision?
National Star College has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 200 places, 167 pupils on roll. National Star College 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 National Star College?
Apply through Gloucestershire's coordinated admissions process, naming National Star College 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 National Star College?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 5 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 4 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 3 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 Gloucestershire is 5 (the median across 338 schools, same distance and years).
Where is National Star College?
National Star College is at Ullenwood Manor, Ullenwood Lane, Cheltenham, GL53 9QU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)