Springwell School, Hartlepool
Springwell School is a special school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Hartlepool, part of Extol Academy Trust.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Springwell School in detail
Springwell School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to be the Head Teacher of Springwell, an outstanding school where the children are a delight and the hard-working staff and governors are committed to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children."
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Springwell School are Catcote Futures (1 mile, Good); Catcote Academy (1.3 miles, Good); Wrenfield Learning Centre (2.4 miles, Good); and Cambian Hartlepool School (2.7 miles, Good).
Catcote FuturesCatcote AcademyWrenfield Learning CentreCambian Hartlepool School
The trust
Springwell School is one of 8 schools run by Extol Academy Trust, an academy trust.
Who goes there
51.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 11.6% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (84%) and Asian (5%).
Almost every pupil at Springwell School has an education, health and care plan (95 of 95 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hartlepool Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Plymouth Grove (a), 80 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Springwell School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 3rd decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 450 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hartlepool (287), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
Springwell School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Springwell School has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in September 2022. Before that, as Springwell School (URN 111785), it was rated Outstanding in February 2015.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Springwell School goes 'above and beyond' to create a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and supported. Staff are exceptionally skilled at helping pupils communicate and develop confidence, with a particular strength in fostering a love of reading from the early years. The school's strong focus on personal development, combined with excellent pastoral support and extensive enrichment opportunities, helps pupils flourish both academically and socially.
Key Strengths
- Exceptionally warm relationships between staff and pupils create a safe, happy environment where children thrive
- Highly skilled staff deliver effective teaching in reading, communication strategies and personal development
- Excellent behaviour supported by staff who help pupils manage emotions and feelings sensitively
- Comprehensive enrichment activities including theatre, residential experiences, sports and community visits
- Very effective governance with strong leadership that continually seeks to improve expertise and provision
Areas for Improvement
- Further refine the curriculum to provide more specific guidance for staff working with the increasing number of pupils who have profound and multiple learning difficulties
- Expand the school's use of assistive technology to support pupils' communication needs
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with leaders demonstrating strong commitment to keeping pupils safe and prioritising their wellbeing.
Extracurricular Activities
Theatre performances, residential experiences, sports, library visits, beach trips, museum visits, sensory and soft-play activities, outdoor play provision, school performances, school clubs
Springwell School is a welcoming and inclusive special school that has maintained its outstanding standards. The school provides exceptional support for pupils with a range of learning needs, from profound and multiple difficulties to autism and communication disorders.
At a Glance
51.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Springwell School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Springwell School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Springwell School is in Hartlepool; for families living there:
Apply to Hartlepool for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 8 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 3 on a bicycle.
1 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 Hartlepool is 11 (the median across 43 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
101%
Over capacity
95 pupils
94 places
1 pupil over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Hartlepool
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Hartlepool
Across Hartlepool council
Places available
1,207
Applications
1,061
Got 1st preference
92.7%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across Hartlepool council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History
Ungraded inspection: Standards have been maintained.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
95
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
95
Total Pupils
65
Boys
30
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
18
Teachers
5.3:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,888
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.5%
Overall absence
19.4%
Persistent absence
98
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Linked Schools
Schools linked by geographic proximity
Questions parents ask about Springwell School
What are SATs results like at Springwell School?
Of the pupils at Springwell School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is Springwell School's Ofsted rating?
Springwell School has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in September 2022. Before that, as Springwell School (URN 111785), it was rated Outstanding in February 2015.
What is the catchment area for Springwell School?
No fixed boundary. When Springwell School is oversubscribed, Hartlepool allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Springwell School?
Springwell School has around 95 pupils on roll. 52% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Springwell School?
7.5% of sessions were missed at Springwell School in 2024/25. 19.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Springwell School?
Apply through Hartlepool's coordinated admissions process, naming Springwell School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Springwell School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 8 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 3 on a bicycle. 1 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 Hartlepool is 11 (the median across 43 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Springwell School?
Springwell School is at Wiltshire Way, Hartlepool, TS26 0TB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)