The Ribble Autism School, Preston
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The school excels at creating a warm, caring environment where pupils with autism feel safe and excited to learn. Staff are highly attuned to each child's needs and work closely with therapists to create personalised learning plans. Pupils show real progress in managing their emotions, building confidence and developing communication skills.
Key Strengths
- Staff understand pupils' autism and special needs, responding with compassion and providing tailored support
- Pupils develop positive strategies to manage emotions and show improved confidence and communication
- In-house therapists and staff work effectively together to embed targets into personalised learning pathways
- School fosters a love of reading through daily rhymes, songs and stories
- Strong emphasis on building pupils' independence in personal care, communication and social skills
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent curriculum delivery across the school - staff need clearer guidance on breaking down long-term goals into manageable learning steps
- Some curriculum areas lack consistent understanding of how to help pupils build knowledge in a logical, secure way
- Parents do not receive enough information and guidance about their child's learning and development to support them at home
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with detailed risk assessments that account for pupils' individual needs and a secure, well-maintained site.
Extracurricular Activities
Swimming sessions, visits to the local library, walks in the community
The Ribble Autism School is a new independent special school for children with autism aged 4-11 that has made a strong start in establishing its culture, curriculum and systems. Pupils are happy, settled and achieving well with strong relationships between staff and pupils.
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
Train Stations
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
100%
Over capacity
10 pupils
10 capacity
0 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Preston
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Preston
Admissions Demand - Lancashire
Places available
14,786
Applications
13,820
Got 1st preference
86.3%
Got preferred school
96.8%
Secondary admissions across Lancashire (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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The Ribble Autism School
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