Bennerley Fields School

Overview

Pupils are “very happy to attend” this “much-loved” special school, where staff are described as “caring and supportive.” Leaders have high ambitions for all pupils, fostering a positive environment where children feel safe and are well-prepared for adult life through the ‘Beyond Bennerley’ curriculum.

Strengths

• Staff are “empathetic, understanding, caring, very supportive and work holistically” to ensure a great learning experience.
• The “excellent outdoor provision” helps pupils grow in confidence, develop teamwork, and understand nature.
• Leaders have prioritised reading, using structured phonics programmes and matched books to support pupils in becoming “confident readers.”
• High-quality therapeutic support provides effective opportunities to develop pupils’ interaction, communication, and mental health.
• Pupils benefit from strong personal development, including enterprise projects, community events, and a ‘pathways to adulthood’ programme.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must clearly identify the key knowledge and skills pupils need to learn in a small number of subjects to ensure secure understanding over time.
• Leaders need to fully embed a coherent assessment system so that teacher-set targets provide accurate steps towards outcomes in pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding” where staff quickly identify concerns and involve other agencies when appropriate.