St Piers School’s residential provision in Dormansland has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for the second consecutive year, following its most recent inspection in 2026.

This continued recognition for excellence highlights the consistently high standard of education and care provided at St Piers and cements its reputation as one of the leading school residential providers in the South East.

St Piers School is a non‑maintained special school supporting children and young people aged four to 19 with neurological conditions, including epilepsy, autism, and complex needs.

The school offers day placements from Reception onwards, along with residential facilities for older students aged 12 to 19, and it is residential that has again been recognised by Ofsted for its exceptional quality.

St Piers School’s residential provision has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for the second consecutive year. Pictures contributed

placeholder image — St Piers School’s residential provision has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for the second consecutive year. Pictures contributed

The inspection report praises the residential provision for delivering highly effective care that not only exceeds regulatory standards but also leads to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

Inspectors highlighted the safe, nurturing environment and the strong culture of care that underpins every aspect of residential life at St Piers.

This consistency in Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ judgement is clear evidence of St Piers well‑rounded approach to education and care.

The residential provision plays a vital role within this holistic model, helping young people to develop independence, confidence and life skills alongside their academic learning.

This latest Ofsted judgement marks St Piers as a centre of excellence within the South East

Central to this success is St Piers’ innovative ‘waking day curriculum’, which extends learning beyond the classroom through close collaboration between education, care, therapy and health teams.

This integrated approach ensures each student’s individual needs are met seamlessly throughout the day, supporting both personal development and long‑term outcomes.

The residential facilities at St Piers are designed to be flexible, inclusive and supportive. Students benefit from outstanding facilities, high‑quality education programmes and enrichment opportunities that encourage independence while maintaining a strong focus on wellbeing and safeguarding.

The Ofsted report also commended the school’s therapeutically informed practice, strong safeguarding arrangements and emphasis on student voice, empowering young people to play an active role in decisions about their lives and care.

Carolyn Meakings, head of St Piers Residential Services, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating for the second year in a row. This recognition reflects the dedication, skill and compassion of our residential team and the wider school community.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we work hard to ensure they feel safe, valued and supported to achieve their full potential.”

This latest Ofsted judgement marks St Piers as a centre of excellence within the South East, placing it at the heart of transforming young lives through outstanding education and exceptional residential care, delivered within a safe and nurturing environment.

For further information and to view the full Ofsted report, please visit www.stpiers.org.uk or St Piers Residential Special School on the Ofsted website.