Chellow Heights Special School

Overview

Chellow Heights Special School is described as a place for ‘safe, happy, learning’, where leaders ensure sites are well equipped with specialist resources. The school provides a personalised curriculum that largely meets pupils’ needs, with a strong emphasis on reading and communication. Inspectors found that pupils are happy, behave well, and feel secure due to high staff ratios and effective interventions.

Strengths

• Reading is ‘prioritised across the school’, with effective phonics teaching and routines that help pupils read with confidence.
• The curriculum is ‘inclusive of all pupils’, particularly in physical education which supports mobility for those with disabilities.
• Pupils enjoy a rich programme of personal development, including activities like yoga, dance club, and learning about different faiths.
• Staff model positive behaviour, ensuring bullying is not an issue and that pupils feel safe and supported.
• Governors have a ‘deep understanding of the school’ and challenge staff to excel in providing high-quality education.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should develop teachers’ knowledge and skills, as some subject leaders are not yet experienced enough to fully develop their curriculum areas.
• Quality assurance systems need further development to allow leaders to effectively check the quality of learning across the school.
• Leaders should engage with all staff to reassure them about changes and ensure everyone feels included in the vision for school improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ supported by thorough checks on adults and persistent collaboration with external agencies.