The Clare School, Norwich
The Clare School is a special school for pupils aged 3 to 19 in Norwich, part of Trust Norfolk-SEN. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2011. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2011)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
The Clare School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to The Clare School are Eaton Hall Specialist Academy (0.4 miles, Good); The Parkside School, Norwich (0.6 miles, Outstanding); Red Balloon Educational Trust-Norfolk (0.9 miles, Good, selective); and Harford Manor School, Norwich (1 mile, Good).
Eaton Hall Specialist AcademyThe Parkside School, NorwichRed Balloon Educational Trust-NorfolkHarford Manor School, Norwich
The trust
The Clare School is one of 6 schools run by Trust Norfolk-SEN, an academy trust.
What parents say
13 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Clare School (as of September 2025): 92% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child does well at the school (92%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 6 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.
Who goes there
39.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 13% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at The Clare School has an education, health and care plan (131 of 131 in 2026). The most common need among them is a physical disability.
The Clare School provides for pupils with visual impairment, hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Norwich Rail Station, about 1.8 miles away in a straight line.
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Middle School (adjacent), 80 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 154 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 Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
The Clare School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; 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 November 2011, 14 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The Clare School creates a warm, happy environment where every pupil is celebrated as an individual and supported by highly skilled, compassionate staff. The school excels at helping pupils develop communication skills and independence, preparing them brilliantly for life after school. Pupils love attending school and behave exceptionally well because they feel valued and understood.
Key Strengths
- Highly personalised curriculum tailored to each pupil's complex needs and EHC plans
- Exceptional teaching of communication skills using multiple methods including sign language, braille, and eye-gaze technology
- Expert phonics teaching adapted for pupils with visual or hearing impairments
- Outstanding preparation for independence and life skills, with pupils learning to travel, shop, and communicate with growing confidence
- Rich opportunities including residential trips, national sports competitions, and memorable experiences that develop independence
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders prioritising pupils' welfare and dignity while managing their health and complex care needs.
Extracurricular Activities
Residential trips to Lake District and Norfolk, national table cricket finals at Lord's, sleepovers with friends
The Clare School is an exceptional special school for pupils aged 3-19 with physical disabilities and sensory impairments. It provides highly personalised education and care in a warm, compassionate environment where pupils achieve extremely well.
At a Glance
39.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Vision, Hearing, Multi-sensory +2
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
13 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with The Clare School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to The Clare School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. The Clare School is in Norfolk; for families living there:
Apply to Norfolk for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 28
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 28 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 4 serious and 23 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 2 on a bicycle.
7 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 Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 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
109%
Over capacity
131 pupils
120 places
11 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Norwich
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Norwich
Across Norfolk council
Places available
9,559
Applications
8,625
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
98.3%
All secondary applications across Norfolk council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
131
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
The Clare School provides for pupils with visual impairment, hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
131
Total Pupils
79
Boys
52
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
35
Teachers
3.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,338
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
14.5%
Overall absence
49.0%
Persistent absence
96
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
The Clare School
Showing 10 of 14 linked schools
Questions parents ask about The Clare School
What are SATs results like at The Clare School?
Of the pupils at The Clare School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is The Clare School's Ofsted rating?
The Clare School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2011, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for The Clare School?
No fixed boundary. When The Clare School is oversubscribed, Norfolk allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to The Clare School?
The Clare School has around 131 pupils on roll. 40% are eligible for free school meals.
Does The Clare School have specialist SEN provision?
The Clare School provides for pupils with visual impairment, hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at The Clare School?
14.5% of sessions were missed at The Clare School in 2024/25. 49% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to The Clare School?
Apply through Norfolk's coordinated admissions process, naming The Clare 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 The Clare School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 28 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 4 serious and 23 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 2 on a bicycle. 7 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 Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Clare School?
The Clare School is at South Park Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7AU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)