David Lewis School

Overview

David Lewis School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” It is a special school where pupils with complex needs are “happy and feel valued” within a “caring environment.” The report confirms that pupils “rise to the high expectations set by the school and achieve well.”

Strengths

• Staff “foster trusting and nurturing relationships” that help improve behaviour and reassure pupils.
• The school provides “four flexible and ambitious curriculum pathways” personalised to meet individual needs.
• Pupils develop independence and work-related skills through activities such as running the school shop and ‘Doggylicious’ dog grooming parlour.
• Staff “skilfully use a variety of resources” to support communication and language development.
• Governors and leaders are “committed to ensuring high standards” and support staff well-being.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, revised curriculums and assessment strategies are not fully embedded, leading to gaps in pupils’ prior knowledge.
• There are limited opportunities for pupils to learn about different religions and faiths, meaning they are “not as prepared as they could be for life in modern Britain.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”