Colston Bassett School Limited

Overview

Colston Bassett School Limited is described as a ‘special place’ with a strong ‘family feel’, where pupils arrive with ‘enthusiasm for the day ahead’. The report states that ‘warm and caring relationships are firmly established between pupils and staff’, creating a safe and happy environment. Leaders and the proprietor demonstrate a ‘strong moral purpose’ to ensure every pupil succeeds, with parents being ‘unanimously positive’ about the provision.

Strengths

• Pupils are ‘ready to learn’, following ‘clear and simple rules’ that help maintain a positive atmosphere.
• The curriculum is well-organised so that pupils ‘build their knowledge over time’, with particular success in early reading and phonics.
• Staff know pupils ‘as individuals’, identifying specific strengths and providing targeted support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Personal development is supported through a broad PSHE curriculum, allowing pupils to become ‘responsible citizens’ and engage in community events.
• Staff feel ‘well supported’ and report that their workload is considered, contributing to a positive staff culture.

Areas to improve

• Learning activities in some subjects are not well matched to pupil needs, with work sometimes being ‘too easy’ and lacking sufficient challenge.
• There is no ‘consistent approach’ to assessment in the wider curriculum to confirm knowledge is secure before moving on.
• Monitoring arrangements are not ‘fully successful’, failing to identify with ‘sufficient precision’ where key improvements are required.

Safeguarding

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