Hillside Special School

About Hillside Special School

Hillside Special School is an 'Outstanding' school that caters for pupils with Severe or Profound Learning Difficulties. We strive to create a learning environment where all pupils can feel safe and are stimulated, inspired and supported in preparation for their future lives. Our highly skilled and experienced staff team work closely with our partners from health and social care to develop personalised learning programmes.

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Key Facts

Students 86

Head/Principal Lizzi Murphy

Rating Breakdown

Based on published reviews

Safety & Security 4.5

Teaching Quality 5.0

Communication 4.5

Student Wellbeing 4.5

Facilities 5.0

Parent Survey

Official Ofsted Parent View data • 23 responses • 26.7% response rate

View on Ofsted

My child is happy at this school

100% positive

My child feels safe at this school

100% positive

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

100% positive

The school has high expectations for my child

91.3% positive 4.4% negative

My child does well at this school

95.6% positive

I would recommend this school to another parent

Data from Ofsted Parent View as of September 2025. Based on 23 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

4.3

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

3 pupils in cohort

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

Reviews 3

E

Emily B Unconfirmed

Parent Sep 1, 2022

5.0

"Exceptional Care and Support"

Hillside Special School has provided our child with exceptional care and support. We love the way the staff tailor the learning to each child's needs and the facilities are amazing, especially the Hydrotherapy Pool and the Light Room. We feel so lucky to have found this school.

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

S

Sarah K Unconfirmed

Parent May 15, 2022

4.0

"Love the Values but Room for Improvement"

We chose Hillside Special School for its strong values and commitment to equality and mutual respect. The staff are lovely and our child has made some good friends. However, we feel that the school could improve on communication with parents and providing more opportunities for our child to participate in extracurricular activities.

Safety & Wellbeing 3/5

Teaching & Learning 3/5

Communication 3/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 4/5

Helpful

J

James T Unconfirmed

Parent Dec 10, 2021

5.0

"Outstanding Team"

As a former parent of a child at Hillside Special School, I can confidently say that the team is outstanding. The staff are dedicated, caring and passionate about their work. Our child made tremendous progress and we owe it all to the school's commitment to the unique needs of each child.

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 4/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful