Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School, Fakenham
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 17 in Fakenham. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2025. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in April 2026 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School in detail
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School in its own words
In its own words: "Our school consists of small class groups, creating a supportive and nurturing environment where pupils can learn and achieve. We pride ourselves on providing a warm, caring and nurturing environment where pupils become successful learners and have confidence in their abilities. Our staff have the expertise to understand pupils’ specific needs."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School has an education, health and care plan (24 of 24 in 2026).
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church (adjacent), 180 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 6 months 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 April 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school demonstrates strong leadership commitment to pupil wellbeing and high standards. The new facilities are bright, spacious and well-equipped with specialist areas to support learning. Staff are thoroughly trained in safeguarding and behaviour policies, with careful planning to expand gradually while maintaining quality and safety.
Key Strengths
- Leaders have renovated the new premises to a high standard and ensured expansion will be gradual to maintain pupil wellbeing
- Comprehensive safeguarding arrangements with well-trained staff and regular briefings on safeguarding priorities
- All appropriate recruitment checks completed and single central record well maintained
- Bright, spacious new facilities with excellent outdoor play areas and specialist spaces like food technology room
Areas for Improvement
- Some toilet sinks in the new site are too low and will need raising before more pupils arrive
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective - leaders responsible for safeguarding have appropriate training, additional designated staff have been trained, and all staff receive regular safeguarding training with safeguarding kept as a key priority through regular briefings.
Extracurricular Activities
Physical education lessons, food technology activities
West Raynham School is an independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and health needs, including some with autism diagnoses. The school has applied to expand from 24 to 48 pupils across two sites.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby school
Keep up with Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School
Getting There
Bus Stops
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 Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 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
50%
Available places
24 pupils
48 places
24 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Fakenham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Fakenham
Across Norfolk council
Places available
9,559
Applications
8,625
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
98.3%
All secondary applications across Norfolk council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
24
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
24
Total Pupils
14
Boys
10
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School
What is Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School's Ofsted rating?
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2026, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2025, it was rated Good.
Does Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2025, Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School?
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School has around 24 pupils on roll.
Does Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School have specialist SEN provision?
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School?
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham 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 Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham 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 Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School?
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School is at 1854 Hollow Lane, West Raynham, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 7HH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)