Fitzwaryn School is highly regarded as an outstanding provision for pupils with SEN within Oxfordshire.

The school previously received four ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED reports following inspections. In July 2026 the school received two ‘Exceptional’ grades for Inclusion and Personal Development and Well Being alongside ‘Strong’ grades in all other areas.

Fitzwaryn School - Inspection Report - Ofsted

The school currently caters for children and young adults aged 3 – 19 years whose special needs range from Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) to Severe (SLD) and Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). All pupils admitted to the school have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

The school is situated in Wantage, a growing market town in the south of Oxfordshire. The pupils come from a large catchment area, and many are brought by taxi. The majority of pupils come from Wantage and Grove, Didcot and Abingdon, but there are also pupils on roll from West Berkshire and Swindon.

February 2013 saw the conversion of Fitzwaryn School (sponsor status) to a Multi Academy Trust within the Propeller Academy Trust (PAT).

The Propeller Academy Trust - Home

The school prides itself on the diverse and individual curriculum offer.

A major building programme was undertaken in 2008 that saw outdated 1970s accommodation being refurbished and new build added to enhance provision. These works resulted in a total transformation of the school. Further building work was completed in September 2018 to provide increased accommodation. The school is based in modern, purpose-built accommodation comprising of three buildings, including specialist rooms; a Sensory Room, Sensory Theatre, Sensory Gardens, Sensory Walkway, Jacuzzi, Horticulture area and suitably developed playground areas.

From September 2026, the school, in collaboration with Cambrian Learning Trust is opening satellite sites in St John’s Academy in Grove creating 40 additional places.

The school follows the EYFS curriculum for Foundation Stage pupils and National Curriculum subjects for Key Stages 1 – 3. Year 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) pupils work towards accreditation in Functional Skills in English, Maths in addition to their Open Award qualifications. At Key Stage 5, the school continues to follow the Open Award framework and Functional Skills Assessments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an integral part of the curriculum with students gaining their Bronze and Silver Awards. Students are enabled to participate in regular work experience opportunities in addition to Enterprise initiatives and Horticulture.

At the end of Year 11, it is appropriate for some pupils to go on to access Further Education; others will join Fitzwaryn’s Student Centre (sixth form) and have the opportunity to stay until they are 19.

Off-site activities are an integral part of the curriculum e.g. swimming, hydrotherapy, RDA. The innovation of a polytunnel on site has enabled a horticulture strand to be added which is accessed by all pupils. Pupils have access to specialist teaching areas such as a music room, Art room, D and T room, cookery room, a jacuzzi and a Sensory Theatre. The pupils are encouraged to take part in many sporting events at different locations competing against their mainstream and special school peers. Fitzwaryn works hard in the community to enable pupils to access society and there are regular community projects that facilitate this.

The Trust offers an Outreach/ Inreach facility providing advice, guidance and training to our mainstream partners. Fitzwaryn works effectively within a local partnership of schools; Springline Partnership of Schools comprising of 7 primaries and Fitzwaryn.

Fitzwaryn is a member of OSSA (Oxfordshire Special School Association) Membership allows access to a Leader group, a Deputies/Senior Leadership group and a Data Users Group.

After School and Holiday Clubs are provided by school staff. Our Enrichment Coordinator works with children and families to find appropriate out of school clubs eg; Yellow Submarine and Beatbox.

Our Home School Link Workers provide support and guidance to our families.

There is also a ‘Friends Association’ (Friends of Fitzwaryn) that has a focus on fundraising.

Therapists are allocated to the school via a Service Level Agreement agreed with the LA. There is special school nursing provision on site for 4 days a week. All agencies work together to provide the highest quality provision for all the pupils.

According to the staff who work at Fitzwaryn the school’s greatest strengths are:

‘Leadership, Working as a team, Raising aspirations of pupils and parents, Putting the pupils first’

‘Supporting each other. Being adaptable. The pupils!’

‘I love working at Fitzwaryn. I think it is an amazing school because every child is treated as an individual and their specific needs are really treated as the most important thing’

Staff Well Being is a priority within the school and there is a wide range of initiatives available to staff members, e.g. well being days, free tea and coffee, a staff fruit scheme, access to a Pilates teacher and vouchers for flu vaccinations to name a few.

Experience in a special school is desirable although not essential to work at the school. Many members of our current teaching staff have come from a mainstream background, bringing immense experience to the school. We have also been successful in recruiting and supporting ECTs who chose to start their careers with us.

Stephanie Coneboy

Executive Headteacher