Fred Nicholson School

About Fred Nicholson School

Fred Nicholson School is an educational setting offering a caring, purposeful and supportive curriculum to meet the requirements of our complex needs children and young people. We are a community; our staff, pupils and families all work together to ensure our school is a happy, safe and fun place to learn. Our ethos “building for successful futures” underpins all we do.

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Key Facts

Students 197

Head/Principal Heidi Philpott

Rating Breakdown

Based on published reviews

Safety & Security 4.5

Teaching Quality 5.0

Communication 5.0

Student Wellbeing 4.5

Facilities 5.0

Parent Survey

Official Ofsted Parent View data • 41 responses • 20.8% response rate

View on Ofsted

My child is happy at this school

100.1% positive

My child feels safe at this school

92.7% positive 4.9% negative

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

90.2% positive

The school has high expectations for my child

85.4% positive 4.8% negative

My child does well at this school

95.2% positive 2.4% negative

I would recommend this school to another parent

Data from Ofsted Parent View as of September 2025. Based on 41 parent responses to the official Ofsted survey.

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information • 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.

20.0:1

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Good

9.9

Teachers (FTE)

Estimated workforce data based on GIAS enrollment and national average ratios. Academic year 2024-2025.

Secondary School Results (Key Stage 4)

Exam performance data • 2023-2024

Note: Progress 8 scores are not available for 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years due to COVID-19 impact on prior attainment data.

Additional Information

19 pupils in cohort

Data from DfE Performance Tables for academic year 2023-2024. Published January 2024. View full performance tables

Reviews 3

E

Emily M Unconfirmed

Parent Sep 15, 2022

5.0

"Exceptional Support"

Fred Nicholson School has been a game-changer for our family. The staff's dedication to each child's needs is evident in the way they tailor their approach to ensure every student feels valued and engaged. We're grateful for the emphasis on social and emotional learning, which has seen a significant improvement in our child's confidence and self-esteem.

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

R

Rachel B Unconfirmed

Parent Feb 25, 2022

4.0

"Mixed Experience"

While we've had a generally positive experience at Fred Nicholson School, there have been some challenges with communication and consistency. Our child's needs are being met, but we've had to follow up on a few occasions to ensure they receive the support they require. The staff are generally warm and welcoming, but we feel that more could be done to engage with families and keep them informed about school life.

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 4/5

Communication 4/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 4/5

Helpful

M

Mark S Unconfirmed

Parent Nov 20, 2020

5.0

"Caring and Supportive Environment"

Our child attended Fred Nicholson School for a few years, and we were consistently impressed by the level of care and support provided. The staff are passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment, which is reflected in the strong relationships they build with students and families. We felt well-informed throughout our time at the school, and our child thrived under their guidance.

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful