Elms School

Overview

Elms School continues to be a good school, maintaining a "positive and purposeful atmosphere" where staff build "strong and trusting relationships" with pupils. The broad curriculum is well designed, offering clear progression and engaging subjects that equip pupils with valuable life skills and knowledge for future employment.

Strengths

• The curriculum provides a "firm framework for teaching" with continuous assessment, allowing teachers to adapt lessons so "all pupils learn well."
• Reading instruction is effective for younger pupils, who show "growing confidence" and enthusiasm, supported by knowledgeable staff and engaging texts.
• Staff report "strong teamwork" and feel valued by leaders, who are "considerate of their well-being" and have helped make workloads more manageable.
• Enrichment activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and cinema trips, enhance pupils’ enjoyment and prepare them for life in the UK.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should implement plans to deliver a new programme to support older pupils who are "behind where they should be in their reading."
• Leaders must ensure that recent improvements in behaviour management procedures are "fully established and used consistently well" to better support pupils’ feelings and behaviour.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders and staff being "very knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures" and reporting concerns promptly.