The Pilgrim School, Boston
The Pilgrim School is a special school for pupils aged 4 to 16 in Boston. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in June 2024 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2013)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
The Pilgrim School in detail
The Pilgrim School in its own words
In its own words: "The Pilgrim School is a Community Special School (Hospital School). We act on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council to fulfil their duties under Section 19 of the 1996 Education Act. This means that we are a special school."
From the headteacher's welcome: "The governors, staff and I are delighted to introduce you to the work of our school. The Pilgrim School is a Community Special School (Hospital School). We act on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council to fulfil their duties under Section 19 of the 1996 Education Act."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Where pupils go next
Of the 6 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 17% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.
Who goes there
28.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 14.3% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 2 pupils (28.6%) received SEN support and 5 (71.4%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Swineshead Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Toftstead Primary School (adjacent), 60 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lincolnshire (33).
Suspensions and exclusions
The Pilgrim School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
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 November 2013, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good and may be improving; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils experience exceptional care and kindness at The Pilgrim School. Many join the school with a history of disruption to their education and poor attendance due to their medical health needs. Some pupils face a long, challenging journey towards improvement in their health and well-being. Staff are expert in helping pupils to take small but important steps to re-engage with their learning. They work closely and effectively with families and professionals to support this.
The school is committed to high-quality education for all pupils. Expectations are high, and pupils achieve very well from their various starting points. This ensures that they are well prepared for the next steps in their education.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school has developed a highly innovative, and effective approach to the curriculum. The 'hope curriculum' provides a golden thread to all the school does. One impact of this is that pupils develop very positive attitudes to learning and are effectively re-engaged in their education. As a result, pupils enjoy school.
The academic curriculum is ambitious. It is coherently planned and sequenced so that pupils learn the key knowledge and skills identified in a logical order. Teaching considers the learning gaps pupils may have from time missed in school due to their medical and mental health needs. As a result, pupils make strong progress from their starting points. This supports their transition back to mainstream education.
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 Good at its November 2013 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
28.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby school
Latest from The Pilgrim School
Job of the Week!
1 Oct 2026
22.09.26 - Kahoot Quiz of the Week
23 Sep 2026
Job of the Week
21 Sep 2026
Kahoot
18 Sep 2026
Job of the Week!
14 Sep 2026
10.09.26 -Kahoot
11 Sep 2026
From The Pilgrim School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with The Pilgrim School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to The Pilgrim School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. The Pilgrim School is in Lincolnshire; for families living there:
Apply to Lincolnshire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Lincolnshire is 6 (the median across 401 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
Area Demand Pressure - Boston
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Boston
Across Lincolnshire council
Places available
9,247
Applications
7,828
Got 1st preference
84.7%
Got preferred school
96.4%
All secondary applications across Lincolnshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
2
SEN Support
5
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
7
Total Pupils
3
Boys
4
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
19
Teachers
0.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,628
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
69.5%
Overall absence
100.0%
Persistent absence
140
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about The Pilgrim School
What is The Pilgrim School's Ofsted rating?
The Pilgrim School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2013, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for The Pilgrim School?
No fixed boundary. When The Pilgrim School is oversubscribed, Lincolnshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to The Pilgrim School?
The Pilgrim School has around 7 pupils on roll. 29% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at The Pilgrim School?
69.5% of sessions were missed at The Pilgrim School in 2024/25. 100% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to The Pilgrim School?
Apply through Lincolnshire's coordinated admissions process, naming The Pilgrim 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 Pilgrim School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Lincolnshire is 6 (the median across 401 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Pilgrim School?
The Pilgrim School is at Sutterton Drove, Boston, PE20 3RQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)