Tulip Academy, Spalding
Tulip Academy is a special school for pupils aged 2 to 19 in Spalding, part of Community Inclusive Trust. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in February 2020. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in June 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2020)
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Tulip Academy in detail
The trust
Tulip Academy is one of 19 schools run by Community Inclusive Trust, an academy trust.
What parents say
14 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Tulip Academy (as of September 2025): 93% would recommend the school, 93% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that the school has high expectations for their child (79%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 32 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 91% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 69% to a further education college.
Who goes there
50.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 11.3% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at Tulip Academy has an education, health and care plan (238 of 238 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Tulip Academy has a SEN unit for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 230 places, 237 pupils on roll.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Spalding Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Spalding Academy Bus Park (in), 200 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 199 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lincolnshire (33), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Tulip Academy issued 23 suspensions, 10.7 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; 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 · 1 year agoThis judgement is from February 2020, 6 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Tulip Academy excels at tailoring education to each child's individual needs, supported by specialist therapists and skilled staff. Reading is brought to life through diverse methods from sensory storytelling to phonics, ensuring every pupil can engage with literature in a way that suits them. The school places personal development at its heart, preparing pupils exceptionally well for life beyond school through practical experiences, community links, and expert pastoral support.
Key Strengths
- Highly personalised education pathways adapted to each pupil's unique developmental needs -
- Structured approach to communication embedded in daily life, giving every pupil a voice -
- Excellent personal development offer including careers guidance, trips, and equine therapy -
- Skilled staff support pupils to manage behaviour and develop emotional regulation -
- Strong transitions to adulthood with work placements and local college partnerships
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with school leadership demonstrating a strong commitment to putting pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Residential visits, community trips, visits from emergency services, local community visits, equine therapy, work placements, college partnerships
Tulip Academy is a special school for pupils aged 2-19 with severe learning difficulties and complex needs. Pupils flourish in this kind and inclusive environment where specialist staff provide exceptional, tailored support.
At a Glance
50.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
SEN unit: SpLD, Vision, Hearing +8
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
14 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 3 nearby schools
Keep up with Tulip Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Tulip Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Tulip Academy 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)
- Collisions
- 13
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 13 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 3 serious and 9 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 4 on a bicycle.
7 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 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
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
238 pupils
230 places
8 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Spalding
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Spalding
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(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
238
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Tulip Academy has a SEN unit for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 230 places, 237 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
238
Total Pupils
176
Boys
62
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
30
Teachers
7.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£42,970
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
12.0%
Overall absence
32.4%
Persistent absence
207
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Tulip Academy
What is Tulip Academy's Ofsted rating?
Tulip Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in February 2020, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Tulip Academy?
No fixed boundary. When Tulip Academy is oversubscribed, Lincolnshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Tulip Academy?
Tulip Academy has around 238 pupils on roll. 50% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Tulip Academy have specialist SEN provision?
Tulip Academy has a SEN unit for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 230 places, 237 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at Tulip Academy?
12% of sessions were missed at Tulip Academy in 2024/25. 32.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Tulip Academy?
Apply through Lincolnshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Tulip Academy 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 Tulip Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 13 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 3 serious and 9 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 4 on a bicycle. 7 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 Lincolnshire is 6 (the median across 401 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Tulip Academy?
Tulip Academy is at Neville Avenue, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2EH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)