Benton Dene School

Overview

Benton Dene School continues to be a good school, described as a place of "kindness, of care, and of wanting success." Leaders maintain high expectations for behaviour and learning, creating a "safe, stimulating, happy environment" where pupils feel secure and valued. The school is praised for its ambitious curriculum and effective support for pupils with complex needs.

Strengths

• Staff demonstrate strong expertise in communication, using programmes like Makaton to help pupils express feelings and make choices.
• The mathematics curriculum builds effectively on prior learning, with teachers using resources to help pupils "quickly grasp new learning."
• Reading is a high priority, with high-quality books and regular staff training ensuring early years and key stage 1 pupils get a "good start."
• Pupils engage in diverse sporting and creative activities, including successful projects such as presenting climate change ideas.
• Governors engage well with leaders, and new teachers benefit from a "broad range of expertise across the school."

Areas to improve

• Teachers do not check what pupils know in the new PSHE curriculum accurately enough, making it difficult to build securely on prior learning.
• Leaders should ensure staff are trained to successfully assess PSHE learning to inform progress and preparation for adulthood.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained to identify pupils needing help and leaders taking suitable action while working with external agencies.