The Stonehenge School celebrates Ofsted success with five areas meeting Expected Standard

Inspectors praise the Amesbury school's high expectations, inclusive culture, positive behaviour and strong leadership following its October 2026 inspection.

The Stonehenge School in Amesbury is celebrating after its latest Ofsted inspection recognised improvements across the school, with five of the six evaluated areas meeting the Expected Standard.

The inspection, carried out in October 2026, also confirmed that safeguarding standards were met, highlighting the school's commitment to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for its pupils.

Under Ofsted's new inspection framework, the Expected Standard represents an important benchmark for schools, making the outcome a positive achievement for the school community.

Inspectors praised the calm and purposeful atmosphere throughout the school, highlighting pupils' respectful behaviour and the positive relationships between staff and young people.

The report also found that pupils are proud to attend the school, feel safe and know there are trusted adults they can approach for support. Bullying was described as uncommon.

Inclusion was another area recognised by inspectors, particularly the school's efforts to create a strong sense of belonging for pupils from service families and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Inspectors also acknowledged the support available to these pupils, alongside the school's open safeguarding culture and its commitment to ensuring every child feels valued.

The report highlighted improvements to the curriculum and teaching, including investment in staff development and strengthening classroom practice.

Leadership and governance were also praised, with inspectors recognising that school leaders have a clear understanding of the areas requiring improvement and have prioritised changes intended to benefit pupils.

Beyond academic learning, inspectors recognised the range of opportunities available to students through sport, the arts, educational trips, pupil leadership and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The school's careers education was also highlighted for helping young people prepare for their future.

Headteacher Carole Dean, who has worked at The Stonehenge School for almost 14 years, said she was particularly proud of the findings.

She said: "I have been part of several Ofsted inspections during my time at Stonehenge, but I can genuinely say that this is the report that makes me the proudest.

"Over the last four years in particular, our staff have worked incredibly hard to strengthen every aspect of school life, while maintaining the high expectations and care that have always been so important to us. To see that recognised so positively by inspectors means an enormous amount."

Mrs Dean added that she was pleased inspectors had recognised the school's everyday environment, its relationships with pupils and the commitment of staff.

The report identified academic achievement as the main area requiring further improvement, although the school said its results are already moving in the right direction.

The examination data available to inspectors related to 2025 and did not yet reflect improvements achieved in the school's 2026 results.

According to the school, the latest results include significant increases in the proportion of pupils achieving key grades in English and mathematics, with performance moving in line with national averages.

Mrs Dean said the inspection outcome was something the entire school community could celebrate.

"This is a fantastic achievement for our school, and one that our whole community can be incredibly proud of. I cannot thank our staff, governors, families and, most importantly, our pupils enough for the part they have played."

The five areas meeting the Expected Standard were attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Safeguarding standards were also met.

The Stonehenge School said the outcome reflected the hard work of staff, pupils, governors and families over recent years.

The full Ofsted inspection report is available on the school's website:

Read the full Ofsted report