Ripplevale School, Deal
Ripplevale School is a special school for pupils aged 6 to 19 in Deal.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Ripplevale School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Ripplevale School are Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary (1.1 miles, Good); Brewood Secondary School (2 miles, Good); Portal House School (3.2 miles, Good); and Woodpecker Court (4.3 miles, Outstanding).
Learning Opportunities Centre SecondaryBrewood Secondary SchoolPortal House SchoolWoodpecker Court
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Ripplevale School has an education, health and care plan (197 of 197 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Walmer Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson, violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).
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 · 6 months agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's April 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Ripplevale School excels at teaching pupils with special educational needs through expert, personalised instruction that combines academic learning with building resilience and wellbeing. The school creates a welcoming community where pupils with disrupted educational histories develop confidence and a sense of belonging. Staff know pupils well and design learning opportunities that match their interests and aspirations, while high staffing levels ensure safety and support.
Key Strengths
- Expert teaching adapted to support pupils with SEND and barriers to learning, with targeted help in reading and communication
- Ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum covering national curriculum scope with careers, RSE and health education
- Strong leadership with experienced SEND sector expertise and thorough implementation planning for expansion
- High staff-to-pupil ratios and comprehensive safeguarding, health and safety procedures
- Pupils develop confidence and resilience through enrichment opportunities including community involvement
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective, with appropriate policies aligned to current statutory guidance, regular staff training reflecting the school's specific context, and robust procedures for reporting and recording welfare concerns.
Extracurricular Activities
High street coffee shop where pupils serve customers and exhibit artwork, visits to places of worship, school council, beach and public transport safety activities
Ripplevale School is a special educational needs school with primary and secondary sites in Kent. This inspection assessed the school's readiness to expand its age range and increase pupil numbers.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Ripplevale 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 Kent is 11 (the median across 711 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
79%
Available places
197 pupils
250 places
53 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Deal
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Deal
Across Kent council
Places available
19,539
Applications
18,644
Got 1st preference
78.9%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All secondary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
197
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Ripplevale 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
197
Total Pupils
177
Boys
20
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Ripplevale School
What are GCSE results like at Ripplevale 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 Ripplevale School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
How many pupils go to Ripplevale School?
Ripplevale School has around 197 pupils on roll.
Does Ripplevale School have specialist SEN provision?
Ripplevale School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Ripplevale School?
Ripplevale 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 Ripplevale 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 Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Ripplevale School?
Ripplevale School is at Chapel Lane, Ripple, Deal, Kent, CT14 8JG.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)