Ash Trees Academy

Overview

Ash Trees Academy is a special school for pupils with communication, sensory, physical, or cognitive needs. The inspection confirms that the school remains good, with leaders maintaining high expectations and fostering strong, caring relationships that underpin all learning activities.

Strengths

• Staff demonstrate an "expert understanding" of adapting learning to meet individual needs, integrating outcomes from education, health and care plans effectively.
• Behaviour is managed well through "consistent behaviour expectations" grounded in positive interactions, with bespoke pastoral plans supporting pupils’ emotional regulation.
• Communication skills are prioritised, with staff using objects, symbols, and Makaton to ensure every pupil has a "voice" and feels safe.
• Mathematics teaching is well-established, breaking down concepts into smaller steps and using sensory activities to help pupils "repeat and overlearn" knowledge.
• Leaders have developed a positive staff team, reducing unnecessary workload and ensuring staff feel supported and proud of their work.

Areas to improve

• The early reading curriculum lacks sufficient steps to prepare pupils for structured phonics, causing some to spend too long on pre-phonics and limiting progress.
• Personal, social and health education (PSHE) lacks explicit opportunities for pupils to learn key knowledge such as "fundamental British values" and different cultures.
• Pupils have limited opportunities to foster interests outside the taught curriculum, such as in arts, drama, and sport, though leaders are beginning to reinstate these activities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with vigilant staff, regular training, and close collaboration with families and external professionals to keep pupils safe.