Samuel Rhodes MLD School

Samuel Rhodes MLD School is an Outstanding state-maintained special school serving pupils aged 10 to 19 with moderate learning difficulties in Highbury, Islington. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in its most recent inspection in May 2022, the school provides specialist education across both secondary and sixth form phases, with a capacity for 140 students. The school operates across two sites: the Primary Department on the Montem Community Campus on Hornsey Road, and the Secondary Department alongside Highbury Grove School. With an exceptional pupil-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 and a multidisciplinary therapy team integrated into daily provision, Samuel Rhodes stands out for its comprehensive support of students with complex learning needs, including those with autism spectrum disorders and social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

Founded on the core values of Independence, Ambition, Respect, Equality, Safety, and Resilience, the school has established itself as a borough leader in supporting children with difficulties in learning and cognition. Under the leadership of headteacher Mrs Cerys Normanton, who has led the school since October 2019, Samuel Rhodes maintains an influential outreach team that advises mainstream schools across Islington. The school's three-year sixth form programme, established in September 2013, prepares young people aged 16 to 19 for adulthood with a practical focus on employment readiness and community inclusion.

Samuel Rhodes School has built its reputation on six foundational values that permeate every aspect of school life: Independence, Ambition, Respect, Equality, Safety, and Resilience. These principles shape an environment where students with moderate learning difficulties are encouraged to develop autonomy while receiving the intensive support they need to thrive. The school's ethos emphasises preparing pupils for future lives beyond the classroom, with a strong commitment to enabling each student to reach their full potential regardless of the complexity of their needs.

The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2022 recognised what inspectors described as "inspirational" leadership. Mrs Cerys Normanton, supported by a committed senior team and governors, has maintained the high-quality education for which the school has become known. The Ofsted report noted that leaders successfully prepare pupils for their future lives and maintain consistently high expectations across all year groups.

The atmosphere at Samuel Rhodes reflects a deep understanding of individual learning needs. Teaching staff demonstrate thorough knowledge of each pupil and adapt learning approaches to suit different learning styles, enabling students to make good and often outstanding progress across a range of subjects. The school's commitment to inclusive practice extends beyond its own walls through its outreach service, which supports mainstream schools in Islington with specialist advice and training for pupils with learning difficulties.

Samuel Rhodes delivers the national curriculum carefully adapted to meet the wide range of needs within its cohort. The school operates three specific pathways across all key stages, ensuring that each pupil's learning trajectory is both ambitious and appropriately paced to match their developmental stage. This differentiated approach allows the school to serve students with varying degrees of moderate learning difficulties, often accompanied by additional complex needs such as autism spectrum disorders or social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

The school uses Read Write Inc as its core phonics scheme, differentiated as appropriate for individual students. This structured literacy programme forms the foundation of communication and language development across the curriculum. Teaching, learning and assessment are highly effective and purposeful, with staff adapting lessons to suit individual pupil needs based on a thorough understanding of how each student learns best.

Therapy provision is woven into the fabric of daily school life. The integrated health team consists of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Health Care Assistants, and Paediatricians who work closely with families, students, teaching staff, and external professionals. This multidisciplinary approach addresses self-regulation, sensory needs, participation, and independence skills in daily activities. Highly effective teaching assistants and therapists facilitate exceptional learning outcomes for students with SEND.

All students at Samuel Rhodes have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), reflecting the specialist nature of the provision. The school serves 129 pupils against a capacity of 140, with an exceptional pupil-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 that enables intensive, individualised support. While the school does not participate in standard national assessments due to its specialist nature, outcomes are measured through personalised progress against EHCP objectives, preparation for post-16 pathways, and development of independence and life skills.

Samuel Rhodes operates across two distinct sites to serve its age range. The Primary Department is based at the Montem Community Campus on Hornsey Road, while the Secondary Department shares a site with Highbury Grove School in Highbury. This arrangement provides age-appropriate facilities and enables students to benefit from specialist resources at each location.

The curriculum extends beyond academic subjects to include a broad range of learning experiences covering art, technology, communication, social skills, and personal development. These areas are crucial for students with moderate learning difficulties, providing practical skills and creative outlets that build confidence and independence.

The sixth form, launched in September 2013, delivers a three-year programme specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 19 with moderate learning difficulties. The post-16 curriculum has a practical focus on knowledge and understanding of the world of work and community inclusion, preparing students for adult life. Transition and school holiday programmes support students and families at key points in the school journey.

Students also benefit from work experience and careers support, with the school maintaining strong links to further education, training providers, employers, and apprenticeship opportunities. Alumni have moved on to a variety of destinations including mainstream schools, further education, training, employment, and apprenticeships, reflecting the success of the school's preparation for adulthood approach.

Samuel Rhodes MLD School exists specifically to serve students with moderate learning difficulties, making SEN provision the core mission of the entire school rather than an additional service. Every one of the 129 students currently on roll has an Education, Health and Care Plan, and admission to the school is determined by the local authority naming Samuel Rhodes in a child's EHCP.

The school supports students with a wide range of single and multiple disabilities. While moderate learning difficulties form the primary need, many students also present with associated complex needs including autism spectrum disorders, social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges, and various physical or sensory needs. The school's expertise in learning and cognition difficulties has established it as the borough leader in this area of SEND provision.

The integrated therapy team forms a cornerstone of the school's specialist provision. Speech and Language Therapists address communication needs, working with students on expressive and receptive language, social communication, and alternative communication methods where appropriate. Occupational Therapists focus on self-regulation, sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, and developing independence in daily activities. Health Care Assistants and Paediatricians provide medical oversight and support for students with health needs alongside their learning difficulties.

The three-pathway curriculum structure allows the school to differentiate learning precisely to each student's developmental stage. This ensures that students working at different levels can all access an ambitious, broad curriculum adapted to their needs. Staff receive ongoing training through the school's own expertise and external partnerships, maintaining high levels of specialist knowledge.

Beyond supporting its own students, Samuel Rhodes leads one of the service areas in Islington for children with difficulties in learning and cognition. The school's outreach team provides consultation, advice, and training to mainstream schools across the borough, supporting inclusive practice and enabling pupils with learning difficulties to thrive in mainstream settings where appropriate. This wider role demonstrates the school's position as a centre of excellence for MLD provision in the local area.

Admission to Samuel Rhodes MLD School follows a fundamentally different process from mainstream schools. As a specialist provision, the school does not operate standard catchment areas, distance criteria, or application rounds. Instead, all places are allocated through the SEND placement process managed by Islington Council.

To gain a place at Samuel Rhodes, a child must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school as the appropriate provision. The process begins when parents, schools, or professionals identify that a child has special educational needs that cannot be met in a mainstream setting. Following statutory assessment, the local authority may issue an EHCP detailing the child's needs and specifying the school that will meet those needs. Parents can express a preference for Samuel Rhodes, but the final decision rests with the local authority based on the child's needs and the suitability of the school's provision.

The school serves students aged 10 to 19, though the stated age range of 11 to 19 suggests admission typically occurs at secondary transfer. Students may join at various points depending on when their needs are identified and assessed. The school currently educates 129 students against a capacity of 140, indicating some available places. However, demand for specialist MLD provision in London remains consistently high, and spaces at Outstanding special schools are particularly sought after.

There is no published admissions distance data, as geography plays a secondary role to need when placing students. While the school primarily serves Islington families, students may be placed from neighbouring boroughs where appropriate. The school hosts admissions events featuring Q&A sessions with headteacher Mrs Cerys Normanton and Richard Wells, Strategy and Commissioning Manager for Pupil Services at Islington SEN Department, to help families understand the provision.

Parents seeking a place at Samuel Rhodes should contact their SEND Keyworker or Islington's SEND team (if resident in Islington) to discuss whether the school would be an appropriate match for their child's needs. The school is committed to the Islington SEND Parents Charter and publishes a SEND Information Report detailing its provision. For families new to the EHCP process, early engagement with the local authority and thorough documentation of needs will support the assessment and placement process.

Samuel Rhodes MLD School exemplifies what specialist education can achieve when expertise, resources, and values align. The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating is well earned, reflecting inspirational leadership, highly effective teaching, and exceptional outcomes for students with complex needs. For families of children with moderate learning difficulties in Islington, particularly those with additional needs such as autism or SEMH challenges, Samuel Rhodes offers a level of specialist support that mainstream settings simply cannot replicate.

The school's greatest strengths lie in its integrated therapy provision, outstanding pupil-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, and individualised curriculum pathways that enable each student to progress at an appropriate pace. The three-year sixth form represents a particular asset, providing continued specialist support through the crucial transition to adulthood with a practical focus on employment and independence. Alumni destinations demonstrate that the school's preparation for life beyond education is effective, with leavers moving on to further education, training, employment, and apprenticeships.

Parents should be aware that admission requires an EHCP naming Samuel Rhodes specifically, so engagement with the local authority SEND team is essential. The school's expertise in moderate learning difficulties means it is best suited to students within that profile; children with more complex physical needs or profound and multiple learning difficulties may find alternative specialist provisions more appropriate. The two-site model may also require consideration for transitions between primary and secondary phases.

For the right students, however, Samuel Rhodes offers transformative specialist education. The school's commitment to Independence, Ambition, Respect, Equality, Safety, and Resilience shapes an environment where students with learning difficulties are genuinely enabled to thrive. The combination of specialist teaching, therapeutic support, adapted curriculum, and exceptional staff ratios creates conditions in which students make outstanding progress. Families should attend the school's admissions events to see the provision first-hand and determine whether it matches their child's needs.

In the context of specialist provision in London, Samuel Rhodes stands out for the breadth of its offer, the quality of its outcomes, and its wider role in supporting inclusive practice across mainstream schools. The school is not simply an Outstanding special school; it is a centre of excellence for moderate learning difficulties that influences SEND provision across the borough. For families navigating the complex world of specialist education, Samuel Rhodes represents a gold-standard example of what is possible when students with learning difficulties receive the right support in the right environment.

Is Samuel Rhodes MLD School a good school?

Yes, Samuel Rhodes MLD School is an Outstanding school according to its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2022. Inspectors praised the "inspirational" leadership, highly effective teaching, and the exceptional progress students make. The school achieved Outstanding ratings across all inspection categories, reflecting excellence in achievement, teaching quality, behaviour, safety, leadership, and management. The school's 5:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio, integrated therapy team, and individualised curriculum pathways create conditions for students with moderate learning difficulties to thrive. Alumni move on to further education, training, employment, and apprenticeships, demonstrating the effectiveness of the school's preparation for adulthood.

How do I apply to Samuel Rhodes MLD School?

Admission to Samuel Rhodes requires an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school. The school does not use standard application processes. Parents should contact their SEND Keyworker or Islington Council's SEND team to begin the EHCP assessment process or to request Samuel Rhodes be named in an existing EHCP. You can also attend the school's admissions events, which feature Q&A sessions with headteacher Mrs Cerys Normanton and Islington SEND department representatives. For more information, contact the school directly at school@srs.islington.sch.uk or call 020 7704 7490.

What ages does Samuel Rhodes MLD School cater for?

Samuel Rhodes serves students aged 10 to 19, though the typical entry point is at age 11 for secondary admission. The school operates both a Secondary Department (ages 11-16) and a Sixth Form (ages 16-19). The Primary Department serves younger pupils on the Montem Community Campus, while the Secondary Department is located at the Highbury site. The sixth form delivers a three-year programme specifically designed to prepare young people with moderate learning difficulties for adulthood, work, and community inclusion.

What types of special educational needs does Samuel Rhodes support?

Samuel Rhodes specialises in moderate learning difficulties (MLD) and serves students with a wide range of single and multiple disabilities. Many students also have associated complex needs including autism spectrum disorders, social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges, and various communication, sensory, or physical needs. All 129 current students have EHCPs. The school's integrated therapy team includes Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Health Care Assistants, and Paediatricians who address communication, sensory processing, self-regulation, motor skills, and medical needs alongside the adapted academic curriculum.

What is the pupil-to-teacher ratio at Samuel Rhodes MLD School?

The pupil-to-teacher ratio at Samuel Rhodes is 5:1, which is exceptional even among specialist provisions. This low ratio enables intensive, individualised support and allows teachers to adapt learning precisely to each student's needs and developmental stage. The school also employs highly effective teaching assistants and a multidisciplinary therapy team, creating a staffing structure that delivers outstanding outcomes for students with complex needs.

Does Samuel Rhodes MLD School have a sixth form?

Yes, Samuel Rhodes opened its sixth form in September 2013. The three-year programme serves young people aged 16 to 19 with moderate learning difficulties, focusing on preparation for adulthood. The sixth form curriculum has a practical emphasis on knowledge and understanding of the world of work and community inclusion. Students access work experience, careers support, and transition programmes, with alumni moving on to further education, training, employment, and apprenticeships. The sixth form represents a particular strength, providing continued specialist support through the crucial transition to adult life.