Claremont School

Overview

Claremont School continues to be a good school, providing a highly personalised education for pupils with complex physical, learning, and medical needs. The report highlights that staff form strong relationships with pupils, who describe their experience as ‘fun’, ‘happy’ and ‘good’. Leaders have given much thought to curriculum planning, ensuring it is well matched to the complex needs of each pupil through effective use of education, health and care plans.

Strengths

• Developing good communication is at the heart of the curriculum, with staff skilfully using a wide variety of resources, including technology, to help pupils ‘find their voices’.
• Pupils enjoy a wide range of activities, including swimming in the hydrotherapy pool and adventurous activities such as abseiling and rock climbing.
• The early years curriculum is personalised and carefully sequenced, breaking learning into small steps so that ‘every child experiences success and gains confidence’.
• Leaders are ambitious for pupils to learn to read, employing effective strategies such as a well-structured phonics programme and daily story time.
• Staff feel supported by leaders, with ‘leaders’ doors always open’ regarding workload and well-being, fostering a passionate and proud workforce.

Areas to improve

• Some pupils, in some subjects, do not remember what they have been taught, meaning their progress is not as strong as it could be; leaders should adapt the curriculum so that pupils ‘learn more and remember more’.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with thorough training matched to pupils’ needs and staff who know how to identify and report concerns.