The Elmley Dray School, Sheerness
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This is a welcoming school where pupils with complex needs thrive and develop confidence as learners. Staff provide excellent emotional support in a nurturing environment where behaviour is exceptional. The school excels at helping pupils who have had disrupted education to catch up, whilst preparing them well for life after school through strong focus on life skills and employability.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional behaviour and positive attitudes to learning, with pupils feeling safe and valued in a nurturing environment
- Strong focus on reading and supporting pupils to become confident learners despite prior educational disruption
- Well-developed personal development programme covering online safety, equality, diversity and preparation for life after school
- Small class sizes allowing staff to quickly identify and address individual pupil needs
- Excellent staff wellbeing and well-resourced facilities including a sensory garden and teaching kitchen
Areas for Improvement
- Some subjects lack clearly defined knowledge and skills pupils will learn, making it harder for teachers to ensure pupils consolidate learning effectively
- Inconsistency in how teachers design learning activities to meet individual pupil needs - some lessons do not engage all pupils as well as they could
- Need for more clearly sequenced curriculum pathways with defined end points across all subjects
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with strong focus on pupil safety and a culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Sensory garden, teaching kitchen, community outreach activities
The Elmley Dray School is a happy and friendly special school for pupils with autism spectrum conditions and associated needs. It has been judged as Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
65%
Available places
26 pupils
40 capacity
14 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Sheerness
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Sheerness
Admissions Demand - Kent
Places available
19,410
Applications
18,281
Got 1st preference
80.6%
Got preferred school
96.5%
Secondary admissions across Kent (2025/26)
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Elmley Dray School
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