The Retreat, Telford
The Retreat is an independent school for girls aged 11 to 18 in Telford. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
The Retreat in detail
The Retreat in its own words
In its own words: "At Educ8 we recognise that maintaining young people in education is of vital importance. Our schools are all registered as independent educational facilities with Ofsted and ESTYN providing full time education for people aged 11-18 years. We place a strong emphasis on vocational courses and broadly follow the National Curriculum leading up to GCSE and Functional Skills accreditation."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Who goes there
In 2026, 3 pupils (100%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of The Retreat.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences and other crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Telford and Wrekin (139).
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 · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
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 September 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The Retreat excels at supporting girls who have experienced trauma through a deeply compassionate approach combined with high expectations. Staff know each pupil exceptionally well and tailor every aspect of education - from curriculum content to therapeutic support - to help them overcome barriers and achieve genuine progress. The school's outstanding careers guidance and enriching activities like horse riding, gymnastics and dressmaking help restore confidence and prepare pupils for life beyond school.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional behaviour and relationships built on mutual respect, warmth and unwavering belief in pupils' potential
- Highly personalised curriculum that adapts to individual interests and learning needs, including trauma-informed support
- Outstanding careers guidance that prepares pupils with practical experiences and life skills for their next steps
- Strong focus on reading with daily opportunities, phonics and creative activities that make learning fun and accessible
- Creates a safe, nurturing environment where pupils feel valued, leading to improved attendance and genuine desire to learn
Areas for Improvement
- Pupils do not always have sufficient opportunities to respond to feedback from teachers and complete follow-up tasks, limiting their ability to correct mistakes and deepen understanding
- PSHE and social, moral, spiritual and cultural education is sometimes delivered inconsistently, meaning pupils struggle to recall key themes and messages are not reinforced regularly
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff understanding pupils' needs deeply and creating a calm, nurturing space where trust can grow.
Extracurricular Activities
Dressmaking, horse riding, gymnastics, cooking linked to cultural traditions and events, museum and castle visits, live events such as Chinese New Year celebrations
The Retreat is a specialist independent school for girls aged 11-18 who have experienced trauma. The school provides personalised, nurturing education that helps pupils rebuild confidence and achieve qualifications that reflect their true ability.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Keep up with The Retreat
Getting There
Bus Stops
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 Telford and Wrekin is 7 (the median across 86 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
75%
Available places
3 pupils
4 places
1 spare place
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Telford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Telford
Across Telford and Wrekin council
Places available
2,604
Applications
2,281
Got 1st preference
76.1%
Got preferred school
90.4%
All secondary applications across Telford and Wrekin council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
3
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
3
Total Pupils
0
Boys
3
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Retreat
Questions parents ask about The Retreat
What is The Retreat's Ofsted rating?
The Retreat was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2025.
Does The Retreat meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in September 2025, The Retreat met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to The Retreat?
The Retreat has around 3 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to The Retreat?
The Retreat 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 Retreat?
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 Telford and Wrekin is 7 (the median across 86 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Retreat?
The Retreat is at Ercall Heath, Telford, Telford, Tf6 6pn.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)