Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School

Overview

Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection, where it was judged outstanding for overall effectiveness. The school provides a highly positive environment where pupils with special educational needs and disabilities thrive, supported by staff who place them at the core of all provision.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate "exemplary" behaviour and conduct within a "safe and secure environment" characterised by "warm, trusting relationships" between staff and pupils.
• The curriculum is "appropriately tailored and ambitious," with targets from education, health and care plans woven "seamlessly" into learning pathways to meet individual needs.
• There is a "relentless focus on developing pupils’ communication and reading skills," using structured phonics and diverse approaches tailored exceptionally well for each pupil.
• The school promotes wider personal development through life skills, such as swimming and shopping, alongside activities supporting mental well-being like yoga and meditation.
• Staff feel "respected and valued," with the school thoughtfully considering workload and providing professional development to support effective roles.

Areas to improve

• The school should ensure it provides suitable professional development for staff so they can implement new aspects of the curriculum "quickly and effectively," as some are still gaining understanding of these changes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.