Physis Academy, Whitchurch
Physis Academy is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in Whitchurch. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2023. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2024 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Physis Academy in detail
Physis Academy in its own words
In its own words: "The Physis Group was established with a vision to provide compassionate, therapeutic, and individualised support for children and young people whose needs may not have been fully met within traditional settings."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Who goes there
In 2026, 7 pupils (58.3%) received SEN support and 5 (41.7%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Whitchurch Rail Station, about 780 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Homestead (adjacent), 70 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 60 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Shropshire (10), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: 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 · 2 years 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 December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Physis Academy specializes in providing education and care for vulnerable girls who have experienced trauma, many with special educational needs and education, health and care plans. The school demonstrates outstanding commitment to pupil welfare and safety, with experienced leadership and comprehensive safeguarding procedures. The planned move to newly refurbished premises with excellent facilities will enable the school to expand while maintaining high standards of support and care.
Key Strengths
- Strong safeguarding culture with well-trained designated safeguarding leads who respond swiftly to concerns and liaise closely with external agencies
- Comprehensive health and safety policies with detailed risk assessments completed for all pupils and appropriate supervision arrangements
- New premises recently refurbished to high standard with excellent facilities including science lab, art room, ICT suite, hair and beauty salon, and dedicated medical room
- Thorough staff recruitment and vetting procedures, including ongoing suitability checks throughout the year
- Leaders demonstrate high ambitions and strong commitment to pupil well-being, welfare and safety with secure knowledge of independent school standards
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective - the school has a current policy adhering to government guidance, suitably trained designated safeguarding leads, clear recruitment protocols, timely recording of concerns, and swift responses with appropriate external agency liaison.
Physis Academy is an independent day school for girls aged 11-18 who have experienced trauma, many with special educational needs. The school is likely to meet all relevant independent school standards if its proposed expansion and move to new premises are approved.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby school
Latest from Physis Academy
From Physis Academy's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Physis Academy
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 12
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 12 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 10 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt.
4 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 Shropshire is 1 (the median across 187 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
27%
Available places
12 pupils
45 places
33 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Whitchurch
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Whitchurch
Across Shropshire council
Places available
3,213
Applications
2,845
Got 1st preference
91.0%
Got preferred school
98.7%
All secondary applications across Shropshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
7
SEN Support
5
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Physis Academy 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
12
Total Pupils
1
Boys
11
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Physis Academy
Questions parents ask about Physis Academy
What is Physis Academy's Ofsted rating?
Physis Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2023, it was rated Good.
Does Physis Academy meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in November 2023, Physis Academy met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Physis Academy?
Physis Academy has around 12 pupils on roll.
Does Physis Academy have specialist SEN provision?
Physis Academy is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Physis Academy?
Physis Academy 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 Physis Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 12 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 10 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt. 4 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 Shropshire is 1 (the median across 187 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Physis Academy?
Physis Academy is at Heath Road, Whitchurch, SY13 2AA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)