Elm Court School, part of the Elm Court Livity Federation, is a state-maintained special school serving pupils aged 11 to 19 with learning difficulties and associated social and communication needs in Streatham, South London. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted following an October 2024 inspection, the school occupies purpose-built facilities on Elm Park in the London Borough of Lambeth, with capacity for 150 pupils. Entry is exclusively for children with Education, Health and Care Plans through the Lambeth SEN team, and the school specialises in supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and moderate learning difficulties. The site has won national awards for design, including bright airy classrooms, enhanced learning spaces, and dedicated buildings for sport, music, and drama.
Elm Court operates with a clear mission to prepare pupils for adulthood, focusing not only on academic qualifications but on personal development, independence, and resilience. The school's ethos centres on enabling students from very low starting points to achieve their full potential and leave well prepared for the next stage of education, training, or employment. Inspectors in 2024 noted that pupils are ambitious and willing to learn, with the school fostering a culture where behaviour and attitudes are outstanding.
The school is part of the Elm Court Livity Federation, which brings together two SEND schools in Lambeth. This federation model allows for shared expertise and resources across specialist provision. Leadership under headteacher Joanna Tarrant has maintained consistently high standards since the previous Outstanding inspection in February 2019, with the October 2024 inspection confirming that the school has effectively sustained its exceptional provision.
A defining feature of the atmosphere is the school's commitment to wellbeing and emotional regulation. Pupils are taught the Zones of Regulation framework, learning to self-regulate their emotions through structured approaches. Mindfulness practice is embedded in the day, helping to build resilience and kindness towards others. The nurturing environment, combined with robust support systems, creates a safe and purposeful setting where students with complex needs can thrive.
Elm Court delivers a curriculum that is creative, practical, broad, and balanced. Pupils study a range of subjects including English, mathematics, humanities, art, design and technology, with teaching tailored to individual learning needs. In Years 7 and 8, pupils are taught by their form tutor for core subjects such as English, humanities, maths, and personal, social, and health education, which supports transition to secondary school. From Year 9 onwards, pupils typically move between specialist subject teachers around the school, accompanied by teaching assistants assigned to their class.
English lessons engage students with texts from diverse authors, developing reading fluency and comprehension skills. In creative subjects, pupils are introduced to artist studies and encouraged to develop practical skills in design and technology. The curriculum is designed to provide many opportunities for personal development and to prepare students to become independent and successful adults.
Ofsted's 2024 inspection highlighted that pupils make outstanding all-round progress from very low starting points, often catching up quickly. Nearly all Year 11 pupils and those in sixth form achieve accredited qualifications. While the school's secondary GCSE metrics reflect the nature of its specialist provision and cohort needs, the focus is on individual progress and the achievement of qualifications appropriate to each pupil's abilities.
Support for learning is comprehensive. All pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans, and the school works closely with families, local authority services, and specialist therapists. Safeguarding arrangements are robust, with policies well established to ensure welfare remains a priority. The school's specialist provision includes support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, moderate learning difficulty, and other difficulties or disabilities.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Elm Court occupies an award-winning site that was recognised with the BSCE Industry Award for "Best Extended & Remodelled School" in 2010 and "Excellence in BSF – Best Design for Remodelled School" in 2009. The campus features enhanced learning spaces, bright airy classrooms, and an energy-efficient air handling system. Two new buildings dedicated to sport, music, and drama provide specialist facilities for performing arts and physical education.
Outdoor facilities contribute strongly to personal development, including BMX biking and other active pursuits. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, with sports and performing arts clubs running after school. Pupils benefit from a variety of enrichment activities, special whole school events, and many off-site visits linked to the curriculum, all designed to enhance spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.
Experiential learning opportunities are a hallmark of student life. Trips, expert visits, and community projects are linked to classroom subjects, providing real-world context for learning. These experiences help pupils develop confidence, communication skills, and a broader understanding of the world beyond school.
Elm Court is a specialist SEND school, and all pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans. The school's approach to SEN support is embedded in every aspect of provision, with a curriculum and teaching model designed specifically for learners with complex needs. Leadership under the SENCO and senior team ensures that individual learning plans are regularly reviewed and adapted.
The school provides support for a range of conditions, with particular expertise in areas including:
Staff are trained in the Zones of Regulation approach, which helps pupils recognise and manage their emotional states. Wellbeing and mindfulness practice are integrated into daily routines, supporting pupils to build resilience and develop coping strategies. Teaching assistants are assigned to classes and work closely with specialist teachers to provide tailored support.
Admission to Elm Court School is exclusively for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan. The school does not operate a traditional catchment area or distance-based admissions system. All admissions are managed by the Lambeth SEN department, which considers whether the school can meet a child's needs as outlined in their EHC Plan.
The admissions process begins when the EHC Plan indicates that a placement at Elm Court might be appropriate. Lambeth SEN asks the school to consider the referral, and all cases are reviewed by the school's admissions panel. The panel makes an initial decision about whether Elm Court can meet the pupil's special educational needs. Where possible, the pupil is visited at their current school, and pupils and parents are invited to visit Elm Court during school hours as part of the assessment process.
The school serves pupils primarily from Lambeth but also admits students from other London boroughs. Families living outside Lambeth must ask their own borough's SEN department to consult with Lambeth SEN and the school. While the school caters to pupils aged 11 to 19, younger pupils may be considered for early transition if they are approaching secondary transfer age and an early move is deemed appropriate.
Competition for places is not measured in the traditional sense of subscription ratios or first preference offers. Instead, suitability is determined on a case-by-case basis according to each pupil's individual needs and whether Elm Court's specialist provision is the right match. Prospective families are encouraged to arrange visits throughout the school year by contacting the school office or emailing admin@elmcourt.lambeth.sch.uk. Lambeth residents may also contact the Special Education Needs Service directly on 020 7926 9579 / 2673 / 9582.
Elm Court School stands out as an exceptional specialist SEND provision in South London, consistently delivering Outstanding outcomes for pupils with complex learning and communication needs. The school's sustained excellence since 2019, reaffirmed by Ofsted in 2024, reflects strong leadership, a well-designed curriculum, and a nurturing yet purposeful environment. Pupils make remarkable progress from very low starting points, developing not only academic skills but independence, resilience, and readiness for adult life.
The school's award-winning facilities, combined with a broad enrichment offer and robust safeguarding, provide a secure and stimulating environment. The focus on emotional regulation through the Zones of Regulation and mindfulness practice equips pupils with essential life skills, while the transition model in Years 7 and 8 supports smooth adjustment to secondary education. The sixth form provision ensures continuity of support through to age 19, with nearly all students achieving accredited qualifications.
For families of children with learning difficulties, autism, or associated social and communication needs, Elm Court represents a highly effective and supportive option. Its specialist expertise, outstanding inspection record, and commitment to personalised learning make it a strong choice within the Lambeth SEND landscape. Prospective parents are advised to engage early with the Lambeth SEN team and to arrange a visit to see the school in action.
Yes, Elm Court School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted following its most recent inspection in October 2024. The school has maintained this rating since February 2019, demonstrating sustained excellence in specialist SEND education. Inspectors found that pupils make outstanding all-round progress from very low starting points, with excellent behaviour and attitudes. Nearly all Year 11 pupils and sixth formers achieve accredited qualifications, and safeguarding is robust.
Admission to Elm Court requires your child to have an Education, Health and Care Plan. You do not complete general school admissions forms. Instead, all admissions are managed by the Lambeth SEN department. If the EHC Plan indicates that Elm Court might be suitable, Lambeth SEN will consult with the school. The school's admissions panel reviews each referral, and where possible the child is visited at their current school. Parents and pupils are invited to visit Elm Court as part of the assessment. Lambeth residents can contact the SEN Service on 020 7926 9579 / 2673 / 9582. Families from other London boroughs must ask their own SEN department to consult with Lambeth SEN.
Elm Court School serves pupils aged 11 to 19. The school can consider admitting pupils younger than 11 if they are approaching secondary transfer age and an early transition is deemed appropriate.
Elm Court specialises in learning difficulties with associated social and communication needs. The school supports pupils with autism spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, moderate learning difficulty, and other difficulties or disabilities. All pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans, and the school provides tailored support through specialist teaching, teaching assistants, and embedded wellbeing and emotional regulation programmes.
Elm Court offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, performing arts, and outdoor pursuits such as BMX biking. There are after-school clubs, special whole school events, and off-site visits linked to the curriculum. These activities enhance spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development and provide experiential learning opportunities through trips, expert visits, and community projects.
Yes, the school currently admits pupils from other London boroughs. If you live outside Lambeth, your own borough's SEN department must consult with Lambeth SEN and the school. The admissions process and assessment remain the same, with suitability determined by whether Elm Court can meet your child's needs as outlined in their EHC Plan.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
