Capella House School

Overview

Capella House School is an all-through special school where pupils are described as ‘bright stars’ who ‘flourish’ due to highly positive relationships. The report highlights that pupils are ‘happy and kept safe’, with ‘exceptional’ behaviour and ‘exceptional’ personal development. Leaders have created an environment where pupils are confident, consulted on decisions, and well-prepared for their future lives.

Strengths

• Behaviour and attitudes are ‘Outstanding’, with staff using ‘highly respectful’ attitudes to build trust and ensure classrooms are ‘calm and conducive to learning’.
• Personal development is ‘Outstanding’, with a carefully designed curriculum that prepares pupils for life in modern Britain, including understanding ‘healthy and safe relationships’.
• The curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and ‘broad and balanced’, with careful sequencing of knowledge in subjects like art and mathematics to help pupils ‘learn and remember more over time’.
• Pupils are ‘very well supported’ through individualised programmes informed by specialists, ensuring they can access the planned curriculum effectively.
• Staff morale is high, with staff ‘overwhelmingly positive’ about support for workload and well-being, including initiatives like the ‘appreciation board’.

Areas to improve

• Learning in evolving curriculum areas needs to be ‘more securely embedded’ so pupils can ‘deepen their knowledge and understanding’.
• The school should ‘continue its work to develop subject leaders’ to ensure effective oversight of curriculum adaptations and provide necessary staff training.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.