St Hugh's Special School, Scunthorpe
St Hugh's Special School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Scunthorpe. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in June 2024 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2013)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Hugh's Special School in detail
St Hugh's Special School in its own words
In its own words: "We aim to be a safe and stimulating school, a place where families will always be welcomed and involved as part of our community. Our student’s experiences will be made to be memorable and will take into account their individual needs, interests and aspirations so that they can be their best selves today, tomorrow and into the future."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, athletics, basketball, drama, cooking, gardening, knitting and cheerleading.
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to St Hugh's Special School are Rowan Education (0.3 miles, Requires improvement); St Luke's Primary School (0.9 miles, Good); Trent View College (1 mile); and Tle Independent School (1.2 miles).
Rowan EducationSt Luke's Primary SchoolTrent View CollegeTle Independent School
Where pupils go next
Of the 31 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 97% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 23% to a further education college.
Who goes there
50.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 6.9% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Asian (7%).
Almost every pupil at St Hugh's Special School has an education, health and care plan (160 of 160 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
St Hugh's Special School provides for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, other difficulties or disabilities, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Scunthorpe Rail Station, about 720 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cemetery (outside), 260 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 480 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in North Lincolnshire (41), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Hugh's Special School issued 10 suspensions, 6.4 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE destination measures; 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 · 2 years agoThis judgement is from September 2013, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Outstanding.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils are extremely happy to attend this remarkable school. Staff ensure that pupils are supported, encouraged and cared for at all times. The school's values of being 'resilient, respectful, aspirational and kind' underpin all aspects of its work. Pupils embody these values each day. They are guided to develop their independence progressively. As a result of the personalised support they receive, pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next steps.
This is a calm, orderly and happy school. Staff go above and beyond to help each pupil. Pupils support each other and praise their friends for the achievements they make. Over time, pupils are increasingly able to self-regulate their feelings and behaviour. Pupils are confident that staff will act quickly to address any concerns they have.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Leaders have initiated transformational changes to ensure that pupils benefit from a continually improving quality of education. Staff enthusiastically embrace these changes, recognising their role in achieving them. All staff share a unified vision: to provide an exceptional experience for every pupil, a vision that is fully realised. The curriculum has been significantly revised to ensure that each pupil can develop and excel in their chosen path. Planning for each subject is ambitious, creative and thoughtful. Staff meticulously outline the essential knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn in manageable steps. At the same time, they consider how this will build pupils' character and emotional development. Every opportunity is taken to help pupils meet the targets on their education, health and care plans.
Teaching staff know the challenges faced by pupils and their families, adapting their approach to meet each pupil's unique needs. The school carefully checks how well each pupil is making progress, adjusting teaching and support as needed. As a result, the great majority of pupils meet their targets and are ready for their next steps.
From Ofsted's June 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its September 2013 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
50.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
SpLD, Vision, Other +9
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with St Hugh's Special School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Hugh's Special School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Hugh's Special School is in North Lincolnshire; for families living there:
Apply to North Lincolnshire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 38
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 10
- Children hurt
- 7
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, 10 serious and 28 slight.
7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
8 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 North Lincolnshire is 7.5 (the median across 94 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
116%
Over capacity
160 pupils
138 places
22 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Scunthorpe
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Scunthorpe
Across North Lincolnshire council
Places available
2,201
Applications
1,717
Got 1st preference
96.2%
Got preferred school
98.8%
All secondary applications across North Lincolnshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
160
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
St Hugh's Special School provides for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, other difficulties or disabilities, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
160
Total Pupils
114
Boys
46
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
25
Teachers
6.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£51,891
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.8%
Overall absence
22.2%
Persistent absence
162
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
St Hugh's Special School
Showing 10 of 14 linked schools
Questions parents ask about St Hugh's Special School
What are GCSE results like at St Hugh's Special School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at St Hugh's Special School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 1.1. 0% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is St Hugh's Special School's Ofsted rating?
St Hugh's Special School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in September 2013, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for St Hugh's Special School?
No fixed boundary. When St Hugh's Special School is oversubscribed, North Lincolnshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to St Hugh's Special School?
St Hugh's Special School has around 160 pupils on roll. 51% are eligible for free school meals.
Does St Hugh's Special School have specialist SEN provision?
St Hugh's Special School provides for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, other difficulties or disabilities, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at St Hugh's Special School?
7.8% of sessions were missed at St Hugh's Special School in 2024/25. 22.2% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Hugh's Special School?
Apply through North Lincolnshire's coordinated admissions process, naming St Hugh's Special 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 St Hugh's Special 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, 10 serious and 28 slight. 7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 8 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 North Lincolnshire is 7.5 (the median across 94 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St Hugh's Special School?
St Hugh's Special School is at Bushfield Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1NB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)