Acorns Primary School

Overview

Acorns Primary School is described as a "caring and welcoming community" where every pupil is supported to "shine." The inspection highlights a "broad, exciting and ambitious" curriculum tailored specifically for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, resulting in high expectations for achievement and excellent behaviour.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "tailored" and "well-structured," balancing academic learning with emotional, personal, and social growth through "regular checks to track their progress."
• Staff are "experts in supporting pupils with complex needs," using personalised communication systems to ensure "every pupil’s voice is heard."
• Personal development is "at the heart of the school’s work," with pupils participating in enriching activities like educational trips and sports competitions that help them "grow in confidence."
• Leaders provide "strong support" to staff, ensuring they feel "valued and well supported," while governors "hold leaders accountable for the school’s success."
• The school maintains a "calm, sensory-friendly space" where staff respond with "compassion and expertise" when pupils feel overwhelmed.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that governors keep a "strong focus on safeguarding" and that the school has created an "open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first."