The Tower School, Epping
The Tower School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in Epping.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
The Tower School in detail
The Tower School in its own words
In its own words: "Our vision is to create a community where education is highly valued, diversity is embraced, and young people are encouraged to take control of their learning, with the support of a highly skilled and nurturing team around them."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to The Tower School are Woodcroft School (3.1 miles, Good); Oak View School (3.6 miles, Good); The Greenwell Academy (3.7 miles); and Harlow Fields School and College (4.4 miles, Good).
Woodcroft SchoolOak View SchoolThe Greenwell AcademyHarlow Fields School and College
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at The Tower School has an education, health and care plan (60 of 60 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest Underground station is Epping Underground Station, about 580 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Tesco Store (outside), 130 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The Tower School excels at helping pupils with autism who have experienced disruption to their education. Staff are experts at understanding each child's individual needs and adapting teaching using visual prompts and careful checks to close knowledge gaps. The school creates a calm, nurturing environment where pupils develop strong friendships, love of reading, and real aspirations for their future.
Key Strengths
- Expert curriculum sequencing that accounts for pupils' SEND and builds knowledge progressively
- Exceptional staff expertise in teaching autism, with high-quality professional development and forensic checking for knowledge gaps
- Strong reading culture with focus on diverse authors, vocabulary development, and fluent confident readers
- Comprehensive personal development and enrichment programme sparking pupils' talents and building future aspirations
- Exemplary behaviour across the school in a calm, safe learning environment
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Extracurricular Activities
School concerts, artwork displays in local galleries, student council, work experience with in-house facilities team, community work experience in local cafes, allotment activities
The Tower School is an outstanding independent special school for pupils aged 11-18 with autism. Many pupils join having had negative education experiences, but the school shows unwavering commitment to understanding individual needs and helping pupils make remarkable academic and social progress.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from The Tower School
PE in the Sports Centre
22 Sep 2026
Harry Delivers His First Petting Experience
22 Sep 2026
Preparation for Adulthood - Trip to Borough Market
22 Sep 2026
Exam Results Summer 2026
7 Sep 2026
English
26 May 2026
Sports Leaders Award
26 May 2026
From The Tower School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with The Tower School
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 26
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 26 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 21 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
6 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 Essex is 9 (the median across 614 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
97%
Near capacity
60 pupils
62 places
2 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Epping
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Epping
Across Essex council
Places available
17,590
Applications
16,568
Got 1st preference
83.4%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Essex council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
60
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
The Tower School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
60
Total Pupils
45
Boys
15
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about The Tower School
What are GCSE results like at The Tower 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 Tower School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
How many pupils go to The Tower School?
The Tower School has around 60 pupils on roll.
Does The Tower School have specialist SEN provision?
The Tower School is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to The Tower School?
The Tower 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 Tower School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 26 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 21 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 6 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 Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Tower School?
The Tower School is at 33 High Street, Epping, Epping, Essex, CM16 4BA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)