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A purpose-built haven where children with profound needs find the stability they require, Woodeaton Manor School occupies a striking Grade II listed manor house just north of Oxford. Following a period of significant structural change, the school officially converted to academy status on 1 October 2025 as part of the Propeller Academy Trust. This move followed a challenging period where previous inspections identified the need for urgent reform, particularly regarding residential oversight and curriculum breadth. Today, the school serves 84 pupils aged 7 to 18 who primarily present with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, alongside autism and communication difficulties.
The setting is one of the school's greatest assets. Set within extensive rural Oxfordshire parkland, the manor house provides a sense of sanctuary that contrasts sharply with the high-pressure environments of mainstream secondary schools. Inside, the historical architecture is adapted to create calm, predictable spaces for students who often struggle with sensory processing.
Jane Straw serves as the Headteacher, working alongside Executive Headteacher John Riches to lead the school through its new chapter as an academy. The atmosphere is professional and protective; staff are trained in therapeutic interventions and total communication strategies. Following the permanent closure of the residential provision in April 2025, the school has refocused its energy entirely on its day provision, ensuring the historic grounds are used for physical regulation and outdoor learning.
We do not publish results data for special schools. Progress is measured against individual Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) targets, tracked through internal assessment frameworks that prioritise social and emotional development alongside functional skills.
For this cohort, success is defined by a student's ability to regulate their emotions, engage in a classroom setting, and gain the life skills necessary for independence. The latest monitoring visits conducted prior to academy conversion noted that the Interim Executive Board (IEB) had made progress in addressing historical management and safeguarding arrangements. In the secondary phase, students work toward external qualifications where appropriate, including Entry Level Certificates and Functional Skills. The average Attainment 8 score of 11.5 reflects a curriculum designed for accessibility rather than high-stakes competition.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
Learning at Woodeaton Manor is individualised to a degree mainstream schools cannot match. Class sizes are intentionally small, with a high ratio of teaching assistants to support the lead teacher. The curriculum is built around the development of social communication and emotional regulation as the foundation for academic progress.
The teaching approach is heavily scaffolded, using visual timetables and clear routines to prevent sensory overload. Since joining the Propeller Academy Trust, the school has worked to strengthen its subject-specific teaching, ensuring that students have access to a broad range of topics, including science, art, and physical education.
Quality of Education
Inadequate
Behaviour & Attitudes
Inadequate
Personal Development
Inadequate
Leadership & Management
Inadequate
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Transition planning begins early, typically in Year 9. The school works closely with local further education colleges, such as Abingdon and Witney College, to identify appropriate vocational pathways. Destinations for leavers often include supported internships, specialist land-based colleges, or apprenticeships. The goal is to ensure that every student has a clear, supported route into adulthood that matches their specific abilities and interests.
All students at Woodeaton Manor School require an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school or specifying SEMH and communication needs. Places are allocated through the Oxfordshire Local Authority SEND admissions panel; the school does not accept direct applications from parents.
The assessment process involves a thorough review of the child's EHCP and previous school reports. Transition is handled with care, as many students arriving here have had negative experiences with education. A gradual induction period is standard to ensure the student feels secure in their new environment before full-time attendance begins.
As a state-funded academy, Woodeaton Manor School has no tuition fees. All places are funded by the relevant local authority through the child's EHCP. Families do not pay for the specialist teaching, therapeutic support, or equipment provided on-site.
While there are no fees, parents may be asked to contribute toward optional extras such as residential trips or specific school-branded uniform items. Travel is typically organised and funded by the local authority for students who meet the distance criteria for specialist transport.
The multi-disciplinary team includes specialists in speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Therapy is fully integrated into the school day, not treated as a separate clinical session. Specialist equipment and dedicated sensory rooms are available for students who need to de-escalate.
The focus is on providing a holistic support system that addresses mental health as the primary barrier to education. The school's commitment to wellbeing is visible in its use of the "Woodeaton Way," a framework designed to foster mutual respect and resilience among students who have often felt misunderstood in previous settings.
The extracurricular programme is designed to build confidence. Because many students have previously experienced social challenges, clubs are low-pressure and interest-led. Popular activities include Lego robotics, gardening in the manor's allotments, and various art-based projects.
STEM is encouraged through practical applications, such as the Formula 24 Greenpower racing project. Students work together to build and race an electric car, providing a tangible sense of achievement and helping develop teamwork. Physical education is also a pillar of the school, with a focus on both individual fitness and team-based sports that teach cooperation.
The school day typically runs from 9:00am to 3:15pm. As a specialist school drawing from across Oxfordshire, transport is arranged by the local authority for most pupils. Wraparound care details are not published; families should contact the school directly for the most up to date information regarding before or after-school arrangements.
A beacon for students whose emotional needs have previously stood in the way of their education, Woodeaton Manor School provides a fresh start within its historic walls. The recent transition to academy status marks a clear line under past difficulties, offering a more stable and professionally supported future. Best suited to students with EHCPs for SEMH who require a calm, therapeutic environment and a curriculum that prioritises social development.
Following its conversion to an academy in October 2025, the school is currently in a state of reform. While its previous designation was Inadequate, the move to the Propeller Academy Trust is designed to provide the leadership and curriculum strength needed to improve outcomes.
There are no fees. This is a state-funded academy. All students must have an EHCP, and funding is provided by the local authority.
Applications must be made through the Oxfordshire Local Authority SEND team. A child must have an Education, Health, and Care Plan that identifies the school as the appropriate setting for their SEMH needs.
No. The residential provision at Woodeaton Manor was formally closed in April 2025. It is now a day school only.
The school is registered for students aged 7 to 18, covering primary and secondary phases through to post-16 education.
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