Barrs Court School

Overview

Barrs Court School is described as a “special place to be” where pupils are treated with “dignity and respect.” The report highlights that staff have “high ambitions” for pupils, ensuring they receive a “highest quality education” to prepare them well for adulthood. Leaders and staff work effectively together to create a positive environment where pupils “continually thrive.”

Strengths

• Staff possess “excellent subject knowledge” and use assessment to identify “small steps of progress,” ensuring pupils master content before moving on.
• The curriculum is “carefully adapted” to individual needs, including tailored phonics teaching and support for pupils to express opinions using communication aids.
• “Careers provision is a real strength,” with pupils exploring aspirations from an early age and undertaking work experience in Years 10 and 11.
• Pupils benefit from an “extensive wider curriculum offer,” including clubs and residential trips that help them become “more confident and resilient.”
• Leaders are “mindful of staff workload,” and staff report that they are supported well.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff who are “well trained” and “proactive in seeking the right support for pupils.”