Tulip Academy, Spalding

Outstanding
Special
Academy special converter
Mixed
Ages 219

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mrs Tina Cox
Pupils:238 / 230 capacity
LA:Lincolnshire
Phone:01775725566
Address:Neville Avenue, Spalding, PE11 2EH
Trust:COMMUNITY INCLUSIVE TRUST
Admissions:Not applicable
Status:open
Opened:1 March 2016

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 1 year ago
-

Overall

Outstanding

Quality of Education

Outstanding

Behaviour & Attitudes

Outstanding

Personal Development

Outstanding

Leadership & Management

Outstanding

Sixth Form

Inspected 10 June 2025View full report
URN:142667
UKPRN:10055671
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:South Holland and The Deepings
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

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

51.2%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

Yes

Nursery

Yes

Sixth Form

SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication

SEN Provision

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

14 responses
Would recommend93%
Child is happy93%
Well taught93%
Good progress79%
Feels safe100%
Well behaved100%
Bullying dealt with14%
Kept informed100%
Handles concerns79%
Wider development100%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Class Sizes

0.0

Avg class size

0

Total classes

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Bus Stops

Spalding Academy Bus Park (in)
203m · 3 min walk
Halmer Gardens (adj)
257m · 4 min walk
Junction with Halmer Gate (SE-bound)
287m · 5 min walk
Chestnut Avenue Crossroads (N-bound)
508m · 8 min walk
Grange Drive (opp)
521m · 8 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

103%

Over capacity

238 pupils

230 capacity

8 places over capacity

Area Demand Pressure - Spalding

Medium pressure
New homes approved:2,195
Projected new pupils:395

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Spalding

Admissions Demand - Lincolnshire

Low demand0.86x oversubscription

Places available

9,207

Applications

7,938

Got 1st preference

86.0%

Got preferred school

96.2%

Secondary admissions across Lincolnshire (2025/26)

Inspection History(4)

10 June 2025
Quality of EducationOutstanding
Behaviour & AttitudesOutstanding
Personal DevelopmentOutstanding
Leadership & ManagementOutstanding
Sixth FormOutstanding
25 February 2020
OutstandingReport
Quality of EducationOutstanding
Behaviour & AttitudesOutstanding
Personal DevelopmentOutstanding
Leadership & ManagementOutstanding
19 March 2019

House Prices

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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.

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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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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

12.00172%

Overall absence

32.36715%

Persistent absence

207

Enrolments

Authorised7.6309%
Unauthorised4.37083%
Persistent (10%+)32.36715%
Severe (50%+)8.21256%

Absence trend

7.54558%
18/19
4.35534%
20/21
8.1722%
21/22
11.17047%
22/23
12.99487%
23/24
12.00172%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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