The Haven School, Staffordshire
The Haven School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Staffordshire. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2023. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
The Haven School in detail
The Haven School in its own words
In its own words: "Our vision for The Haven is for it to be a place where young people are learning and reaching their potential in an environment where they feel safe, supported and free of anxiety. This is a big ask when we are aware that some of our pupils have suffered extensive anxiety and trauma."
From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to lead a school with such a strong sense of purpose and such a deep commitment to the young people it serves. The Haven is a special school for pupils aged 11-19 with an Education, Health and Care Plan where the primary need is social, emotional and mental health."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to The Haven School are Longridge School (1.4 miles, Good); Heather Field School (2.3 miles, Outstanding); Robin's Nest School (3.8 miles, Good); and Little Kinvaston School (3.8 miles, Good).
Longridge SchoolHeather Field SchoolRobin's Nest SchoolLittle Kinvaston School
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at The Haven School has an education, health and care plan (53 of 53 in 2026).
The Haven School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Penkridge Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Swan Lane (adjacent), 180 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, public order offences and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86).
Sources: 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 · 11 months 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 November 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The Haven School provides a safe, caring environment where pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs receive specialist support. The school is well-led with experienced staff who are committed to continuously improving provision. Facilities are spacious and well-maintained across both sites, with strong attention to health, safety and safeguarding.
Key Strengths
- Strong safeguarding systems with regular staff training and clear procedures for recording concerns
- Well-maintained buildings across two sites with appropriate facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers
- Experienced leadership with clear vision for school improvement and careful plans to maintain pupil wellbeing during expansion
- Robust health and safety policies with regular checks and compliance with fire safety regulations
- Appropriate staffing levels and plans to maintain high adult-to-pupil ratios
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective - the school has clear systems in place, staff receive regular training including on the vulnerabilities of pupils with special needs, and pupils feel safe and trust adults to listen to their concerns.
Extracurricular Activities
Physical education lessons
The Haven School is an independent special school for pupils aged 11-19 with social, emotional and mental health needs. The inspection assessed whether the school would meet standards if approved to increase pupil numbers from 52 to 60.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Approved
Section 41
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with The Haven School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 0 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 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 Staffordshire is 5 (the median across 457 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
88%
Available places
53 pupils
60 places
7 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Staffordshire
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Staffordshire
Across Staffordshire council
Places available
8,807
Applications
7,681
Got 1st preference
91.9%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across Staffordshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
53
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
The Haven School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
53
Total Pupils
31
Boys
22
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about The Haven School
What are GCSE results like at The Haven School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for The Haven School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is The Haven School's Ofsted rating?
The Haven School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2023, it was rated Good.
Does The Haven School meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in November 2023, The Haven School met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to The Haven School?
The Haven School has around 53 pupils on roll.
Does The Haven School have specialist SEN provision?
The Haven School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
How do I apply to The Haven School?
The 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 The Haven School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 0 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 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 Staffordshire is 5 (the median across 457 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Haven School?
The Haven School is at Cabins 24, 25 and 26, Dunston Business Village, Staffordshire, Staffordshire, ST18 9AB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)