Oscott Manor School, Birmingham Review 2026: A Specialist Haven in Transition

We do not publish results data for special schools. Progress at Oscott Manor is measured against individual Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets rather than national performance tables.

The current GCSE data records 27 KS4 pupils, an Attainment 8 score of 2.3 and a Progress 8 score of -1.54. These metrics reflect the significant learning barriers students face. For this cohort, success is typically defined by the acquisition of functional skills and independent living milestones. The curriculum is currently being redesigned into three pathways (Pre-Formal, Topic-based, and Formal) to ensure that students, regardless of their starting point, can work towards meaningful accreditations ranging from GCSEs to AQA Unit Awards.

Class sizes are small, typically around 8 to 10 students, with high ratios of teaching assistants. The curriculum has recently been overhauled to provide more structure and ambition. The Formal pathway allows students to study subject-specific content adapted to their needs, including GCSEs and Functional Skills in English and mathematics.

Specialist facilities, such as the dedicated food technology rooms and science labs, allow students to engage in practical learning in a controlled setting. However, the school is currently working to ensure all staff have the expertise to meet complex communication needs consistently. The use of Makaton, symbols, and picture exchange tools is being strengthened across the school to ensure every student can express their wants and needs effectively.

Where Students Go Next

The school's Sixth Form provision, located at both the main site and the Ryland Road annex, focuses heavily on preparing students for adulthood. The 2024 inspection rated Sixth Form provision as Requires Improvement, a higher grade than the main school, noting a calmer environment where students receive dedicated help from teachers.

Leavers typically progress to further education colleges, apprenticeships, or supported employment. The curriculum includes a strong focus on employability, and students in the senior years often engage in vocational placements. Transition planning begins early, with staff working closely with families to navigate the move into adult services or higher-level specialist colleges.

All students at Oscott Manor School must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school, with autism identified as the primary need. Admissions are coordinated through the Birmingham City Council SENAR department rather than the school directly.

Because the school is at its capacity of 180 students, entry is competitive. The admissions process involves the local authority's specialist placement panel. Transition for new Year 7 students is handled with care, often involving staggered start dates in September to allow students to adjust to the new environment at their own pace.

Pastoral care is integrated into the daily routine. Reflection Time is a scheduled daily period where students pause to review their learning and emotional experiences. This practice aims to foster a supportive environment where students can self-assess their progress and manage stress.

The school uses the Zones of Regulation framework to help students identify their emotional states and use pre-learned strategies for self-regulation. While safeguarding was found to be effective in 2024, leaders are currently focused on improving the recording and analysis of behaviour trends to ensure that students get the right support quickly when they struggle to manage their emotions.

The extracurricular offer is designed to nurture individual talents and interests. Students can participate in Forest School, which builds resilience and teamwork in an outdoor setting. Art and Design, Music, and Physical Education are core parts of the enrichment curriculum.

The school is working to expand its club offerings to ensure that break times and social periods are more structured. This includes providing activities and resources that support social and emotional development during social times, such as coding clubs and creative arts workshops.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:00pm, though the switchboard is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Term dates follow the Birmingham City Council calendar, with additional staff training days throughout the year.

Transport is usually arranged by the local authority for students who meet the criteria for travel assistance. For families seeking wraparound care, specific details are not published on the school website, and parents are advised to contact the school office directly to discuss individual requirements.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded community special school, Oscott Manor has no tuition fees. All places are funded by the local authority. Families may be responsible for costs associated with school uniforms, some optional trips, and certain materials for practical subjects. Pupils are eligible to apply for free school meals based on standard government criteria.

• Academy Conversion: Following its Inadequate rating, the school joined the Think Differently Education Trust in March 2025. This brings a new governance structure and fresh resources to support the school's improvement.
• Curriculum Gaps: Recent inspections highlighted that some staff require further training to meet the precise communication needs of pupils. The school is currently addressing this through intensive staff development.
• Wandering During Social Times: Historically, outdoor spaces were underutilised during breaks. The school is currently redesigning these areas to ensure students have structured activities and resources to engage with during social periods.
• Preparation for Adulthood: While the Sixth Form provides a calmer environment, the school is working to ensure that the curriculum for younger years is equally focused on the long-term goal of independence.

Oscott Manor is a school with a state-of-the-art physical heart and a dedicated staff team working through a period of necessary change. It offers a specialist sanctuary for students who find mainstream education impossible to navigate. Best suited to students with a diagnosis of autism who require a sensory-aware environment and who will benefit from the new, more structured academic pathways being introduced by the trust. The challenge for families is securing a place through the EHCP process; once in, the focus is entirely on helping each student find their unique way to communicate and flourish.