Old Farm School, Brotton
Old Farm School is an independent school for pupils aged 5 to 19 in Brotton. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Old Farm School in detail
Old Farm School in its own words
In its own words: "Highfield (North East) Ltd, trading as Halcyon , operate an independent specialist school and two residential homes for young people in the North East of England. Established in 2009, we have a strong track record of delivering high quality holistic care and education. Each home offers medium to long term care for young people aged 9 - 17."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Old Farm School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Old Farm School has an education, health and care plan (56 of 56 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Saltburn Rail Station, about 3.2 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Old Farm School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often public order offences and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Redcar and Cleveland (174).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year 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 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Old Farm School excels at transforming the lives of vulnerable young people by combining academic learning with personal growth. Staff build extremely positive relationships with pupils and tailor teaching to individual needs, helping many pupils return to education after years of struggle. The school provides exceptional enrichment activities and work experience opportunities that inspire pupils and prepare them well for their future.
Key Strengths
- Outstanding behaviour and attitudes - pupils are calm, respectful and regulate themselves successfully
- Excellent support for individual needs - staff quickly identify and support pupils with SEND, including those with significant gaps in knowledge
- Highly effective transition programme that helps pupils settle and thrive
- Strong emphasis on personal development alongside academic achievement
- Impressive enrichment activities including photography, university visits, theatre, canoeing, swimming, hiking and Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Areas for Improvement
- PSHE curriculum not fully understood by pupils - some have limited knowledge of other faiths, cultures and British values
- Some pupils have misconceptions about people different from themselves
- New staff members still developing their skills and knowledge
- Need for stronger monitoring of school improvement priorities as the school continues to grow
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective and the school keeps pupils safe through staff who know them well.
Extracurricular Activities
Photography workshops, university visits, theatre trips, international visits, canoeing, swimming, hiking, sports, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, work experience placements
Old Farm School is a Good independent school that supports pupils aged 5-19 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and moderate learning difficulties. The school has an ambitious vision and creates a highly positive learning environment where pupils flourish and re-engage in education.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Old Farm School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
Keep up with Old Farm School
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Redcar and Cleveland is 8 (the median across 66 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
80%
Available places
56 pupils
70 places
14 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Brotton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Brotton
Across Redcar and Cleveland council
Places available
1,672
Applications
1,452
Got 1st preference
93.0%
Got preferred school
97.5%
All secondary applications across Redcar and Cleveland council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
56
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
56
Total Pupils
39
Boys
17
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Old Farm School
What are GCSE results like at Old Farm School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Old Farm School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Old Farm School's Ofsted rating?
Old Farm School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2025.
Does Old Farm School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in September 2025, Old Farm School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Old Farm School?
Old Farm School has around 56 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Old Farm School?
Old Farm School 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 Old Farm School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Redcar and Cleveland is 8 (the median across 66 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Old Farm School?
Old Farm School is at Old Farm School, Stank House Farm, Brotton, TS12 2TZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)