Beaufort School

Overview

The report states that pupils receive a "poor standard of education" and that the school is "failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education." It concludes that leaders are "not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement," resulting in the school being placed in special measures.

Strengths

• Leaders are "working tirelessly to recruit permanent staff members" and have "firm plans to secure leadership."
• Leaders "act quickly when concerns are reported to them" and "work well with external agencies to support pupils and families."
• Leaders "effectively check the suitability of new staff before they are employed."
• Pupils show "some improvement" in physical movement, which is planned and delivered with external specialist agencies.
• Leaders are "beginning to offer pupils some wider experiences," such as celebrating Mother’s and Father’s Day with parents.

Areas to improve

• Leaders and governors must clarify safeguarding reporting systems and ensure all staff report concerns "quickly and effectively."
• Leaders should take action to "secure permanent leadership and to stabilise staffing" to address high turnover and instability.
• Governors should ensure external support is "strategically planned and implemented" rather than disjointed, and leaders must improve the curriculum, phonics teaching, and consistent use of communication aids.

Safeguarding

The report states that "arrangements for safeguarding are not effective" because staff do not consistently report concerns, leaving leaders without clear oversight of at-risk pupils, and pupils with complex needs are not taught how to ask for help.