Lansdowne School is a state-maintained special school in Stockwell, south London, serving approximately 170 students aged 11 to 19 with special educational needs. The school recently relocated to a purpose-built facility specifically designed to meet the needs of young people with autism spectrum disorder, the primary need of its student population, alongside associated communication difficulties, speech and language delays, and learning difficulties. Part of the Lansdowne Turney Federation, the school holds a Good Ofsted rating and operates with an exceptional pupil-to-teacher ratio of 6:1, reflecting its commitment to individualised support. Admission requires an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) coordinated through Lambeth's SEND Team. The school's ethos centres on building independence and practical life skills, with distinctive programmes including Forest School, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and an Enterprise Café run by post-16 students.
Lansdowne School positions itself as an active part of the Stockwell and wider Lambeth community, drawing on local and London-wide resources to support both academic progress and personal development. The school's mission prioritises independence, resilience, and community integration for young people with complex needs. Following a period under special measures in 2012, the school has made sustained improvement under experienced leadership, achieving a Good rating in its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2021.
The atmosphere is calm, structured, and purposeful. The school's purpose-built premises, designed with autistic learners in mind, provide sensory-appropriate spaces and specialist facilities that reduce environmental barriers to learning. Students are encouraged to develop self-esteem and confidence through outdoor education programmes such as Forest School and the Roots and Shoots initiative, which emphasise hands-on, experiential learning in natural settings. The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme further extends opportunities for personal growth and challenge.
A strong focus on preparing students for adulthood is evident throughout the curriculum. Post-16 learners operate an Enterprise Café open to the public, developing real-world employment skills in a supported setting. The school actively promotes independent travel skills through cycling programmes and local transport opportunities, recognising that mobility is central to young people's future autonomy. Student voice is formalised through a School Council, ensuring pupils contribute to the life and direction of their school.
Lansdowne School offers a bespoke curriculum—the Lansdowne Curriculum—tailored to the learning profiles of students with autism and associated needs. Academic subjects are taught alongside a comprehensive personal and social development programme, with an emphasis on communication, life skills, and preparing for post-school pathways. Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy are integrated into the school day, enabling pupils to access both the academic and social curriculum effectively.
Performance data for special schools is not directly comparable to mainstream settings, and the school's metrics reflect the starting points and progress trajectories of learners with significant needs. Ofsted noted that all groups of pupils make good progress from low starting points across a range of subjects. Pupils behave extremely well in lessons and around the school, treating adults and each other with respect—a testament to the school's consistent approach to behaviour support and its understanding of the needs of autistic learners.
Careers guidance is embedded within the curriculum, with partnerships established with local companies to offer insight into employment opportunities. Recent school events have included a careers fair and bus training day, both designed to build confidence and practical skills for life beyond school. The 16–19 provision is judged Good by Ofsted, reflecting the effectiveness of the school's transition support and vocational preparation.
Leadership and management are also rated Good, with inspectors highlighting the dedication of the experienced executive headteacher to improving outcomes for pupils with special educational needs. The school works closely with external agencies, the school doctor and nurse, and therapeutic staff to apply a holistic approach to learning and wellbeing.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
Lansdowne School's recently completed, purpose-built campus represents a significant investment in the learning environment for autistic young people. The building incorporates design features that support sensory regulation, reduce anxiety, and create predictable, navigable spaces. Specialist facilities include therapy rooms, practical learning areas for the Enterprise Café, and outdoor spaces for Forest School and horticultural programmes.
Extracurricular life is rich and varied, with a strong emphasis on outdoor education, enterprise, and community involvement. The Forest School programme develops resilience and problem-solving skills in a woodland setting, while the Roots and Shoots initiative focuses on environmental awareness and practical gardening. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme offers structured opportunities for challenge and achievement, with many students progressing through Bronze and Silver levels.
The school's location in Stockwell, a short walk from Brixton, provides access to the cultural and community resources of south London. Nearby underground stations—Brixton, Stockwell, and Clapham North—are used as part of the school's independent travel training, helping students build confidence in navigating public transport.
Social events such as the Winter Fair, Summer Fair, and community partnerships enrich the school calendar and provide opportunities for students to engage with the wider community. The Enterprise Café, open to the public, serves as both a learning environment and a bridge between the school and its neighbours.
Lansdowne School is a specialist setting for students with Education, Health and Care Plans, with autism spectrum disorder as the primary area of need across the student body. The school also supports pupils with associated speech and language delays or disorders, moderate and severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Some students have very complex and challenging needs requiring highly individualised support.
The school's approach is holistic and multidisciplinary. On-site provision includes dedicated Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy services, which are integrated into the curriculum rather than delivered as standalone interventions. Therapists work closely with teachers to ensure that communication and sensory needs are addressed throughout the school day. The school also collaborates with a school doctor and nurse, as well as external agencies, to support medical and mental health needs.
The school's purpose-built environment is a key element of its SEN provision, with sensory-friendly design, quiet spaces, and clear visual structure to support autistic learners. Staff are trained in autism-specific teaching strategies and positive behaviour support, creating a consistent, predictable, and nurturing environment.
Lansdowne School does not operate a traditional admissions process. Admission is entirely dependent on a child having an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school as the appropriate placement. Referrals are managed through Lambeth's SEND Team, which assesses the suitability of the school for each young person's specific needs.
Because admission is needs-led rather than catchment-based, there is no published distance from which places are typically offered, nor are there application and offer statistics comparable to mainstream schools. Parents seeking a place for their child at Lansdowne should engage with the EHCP process through their local authority, ensuring that the school's specialist provision aligns with their child's primary needs—particularly autism, communication difficulties, and associated learning difficulties.
The school's capacity is 170 places, and given the specialist nature of its provision, demand is managed through the local authority's SEND placement planning. Parents are encouraged to visit the school and discuss their child's needs with the leadership team as part of the assessment process.
Lansdowne School offers highly specialist, autism-focused education in a purpose-built environment tailored to the sensory and learning needs of its students. With an exceptional 6:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio, integrated therapeutic support, and a curriculum that balances academic learning with practical life skills, the school is well-equipped to support young people with complex needs. The emphasis on independence—through Forest School, Duke of Edinburgh, cycling programmes, and the Enterprise Café—reflects a clear commitment to preparing students for adulthood and community participation.
The school's Good Ofsted rating, calm and respectful atmosphere, and strong partnerships with families and external agencies provide reassurance to parents seeking a specialist setting for their autistic child. The recent move to purpose-built premises represents a significant enhancement to the learning environment and demonstrates sustained investment in the school's future.
For families of young people aged 11 to 19 with autism spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, or moderate to severe learning difficulties, Lansdowne School offers a supportive, well-resourced, and community-integrated specialist provision in south London. Parents should work closely with Lambeth's SEND Team to explore whether the school's approach and resources match their child's individual needs.
Lansdowne School is rated Good by Ofsted (inspected November 2021), with inspectors highlighting that all groups of pupils make good progress from low starting points and that behaviour is extremely good. The school's holistic approach, integrated therapy services, purpose-built facilities, and strong focus on independence and community integration make it a strong choice for families of autistic young people with associated communication and learning needs.
Admission to Lansdowne School requires an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school as the appropriate placement. Applications are managed through Lambeth's SEND Team. Parents should contact the local authority to discuss their child's needs and begin or review the EHCP process. Visiting the school and meeting with the leadership team is recommended as part of the assessment process.
Lansdowne School specialises in supporting students with autism spectrum disorder as their primary need, alongside associated speech and language delays or disorders, communication difficulties, moderate and severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. All students require an EHCP to attend.
The school operates with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 6:1, enabling highly individualised support and small-group teaching tailored to the needs of autistic learners and those with complex needs.
The school recently moved to a purpose-built campus designed specifically for autistic learners, incorporating sensory-friendly design, specialist therapy rooms, outdoor learning spaces for Forest School, and practical areas including an Enterprise Café run by post-16 students. The building is located in Stockwell, close to Brixton, and is accessible from Brixton, Stockwell, and Clapham North underground stations.
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