LeAF Studio is a mainstream secondary school in Bournemouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, for children and young people aged 13 to 19. In January 2026, 87 of its 458 pupils (19%) were getting SEN support and 13 (2.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 13–19
- 458 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
19% get SEN support
87 of 458 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.8% have an EHC plan
13 of 458 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia37
- Social, emotional and mental health26
- Speech, language and communication12
- Autism10
- Moderate learning difficulty5
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Studio school
- Ages
- 13 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 458 (places for 500)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Nadine Lapskas
- Part of
- Authentic Education Group Limited
- Free school meals
- 28.7% of pupils eligible
- School reference (URN)
- 138385
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Graded by area, September 2024
Inspected in September 2024. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Holloway Avenue, Bournemouth, BH11 9JW
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- The Lion Works School Independent · Ages 11–18 1.0 mile
- Winchelsea School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.3 miles
- Manorside Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 1.3 miles
- Parley First School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–9 · Ofsted: Good 2.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Oak Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 21.5%, EHC plans 5.3% 0.1 miles
- Elm Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.9%, EHC plans 7.7% 0.3 miles
- Christ The King Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.6%, EHC plans 8.3% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole SEND schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Questions about LeAF Studio
How many pupils at LeAF Studio have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 87 of the 458 pupils (19%) were getting SEN support and 13 (2.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at LeAF Studio?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (37 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (26 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (12 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at LeAF Studio?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at LeAF Studio?
Through Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to LeAF Studio?
You can ask for LeAF Studio to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does LeAF Studio have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Manorside Academy, about 1.3 miles away.
Where is LeAF Studio?
Holloway Avenue, Bournemouth, BH11 9JW, in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.