Small Haven School, Kent
Small Haven School is a special school for pupils aged 6 to 19 in Kent. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2024.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Small Haven School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Small Haven School are Laleham Gap School (0.5 miles, Outstanding); Foreland Fields School (0.7 miles, Good); The Old Priory School (1.2 miles, Good); and Maple Tree Primary School (1.3 miles, Good).
Laleham Gap SchoolForeland Fields SchoolThe Old Priory SchoolMaple Tree Primary School
What parents say
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Small Haven School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 0% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school supports their child's wider development (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (0%).
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Small Haven School has an education, health and care plan (35 of 35 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Ramsgate Rail Station, about 810 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newington Road Post Office (opposite), 70 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 261 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; 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
Sixth Form
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
Small Haven School excels at creating a warm, supportive environment where every pupil feels they belong and are believed in. Teachers deliver high-quality, personalised learning that meets each child's specific needs while building crucial life skills like cooking, online safety, and emotional resilience. The school goes far beyond academics - enriching pupils' lives through music, art, sport, extensive trips, and real opportunities to make a difference in their community.
Key Strengths
- Excellent behaviour and positive relationships throughout the school, with pupils showing respect and compassion for one another
- Ambitious, carefully planned curriculum tailored to each pupil's individual needs and EHCP targets
- Exceptional personal development opportunities including leadership roles, creative arts, music, and community service that help pupils become conscientious citizens
- Strong reading programme with consistent phonics teaching ensuring pupils become fluent and confident readers
- Highly effective careers guidance with work experience from Year 10 onwards, leading to successful transitions to college, university or employment
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders prioritising pupils' welfare and ensuring physical, emotional and mental health needs are well met through therapeutic interventions and medical support.
Extracurricular Activities
School podcast production, music, sports, creative arts, synagogue visits and places of worship, extensive school trips, Kenya project, Gakonga art, cookery, work experience, Christmas charity packages, buddy system, student council, leadership roles (head of online safety, friendship champion, recycling monitor)
Small Haven School is an independent special school for pupils aged 6-19 with complex needs including autism, anxiety, and communication difficulties. The school has been rated Outstanding across all areas, up from Good at the previous inspection.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
10 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Small Haven School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 38
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 12
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 38 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 12 serious and 26 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
11 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 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
83%
Available places
35 pupils
42 places
7 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Kent
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Kent
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.
Inspection History(7)
Independent School standard inspection
Met all the independent school standards.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
35
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Small Haven 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
35
Total Pupils
22
Boys
13
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Small Haven School
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Small Haven School
What is Small Haven School's Ofsted rating?
Small Haven School was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2024.
Does Small Haven School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in December 2024, Small Haven School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Small Haven School?
Small Haven School has around 35 pupils on roll.
Does Small Haven School have specialist SEN provision?
Small Haven School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Small Haven School?
Small Haven 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 Small Haven School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 38 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 12 serious and 26 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 11 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 Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Small Haven School?
Small Haven School is at 146-150, Newington Road, Kent, Kent, CT12 6PT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)