Fairmead School

Overview

Fairmead School continues to be a good school, where pupils enjoy attending and feel safe. Staff know pupils exceptionally well, providing strong emotional support and fostering positive behaviour. However, the report notes that curriculum planning in some subjects and wider communication strategies require further development to help pupils achieve their full potential.

Strengths

• Staff "care for and nurture" pupils well, supporting them to manage emotions and promoting positive behaviours.
• Pupils feel safe, knowing leaders "do not tolerate bullying of any kind" and will deal quickly with unkind behaviour.
• Older pupils benefit from "carefully planned and purposeful work experience" and opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills.
• Reading is a priority, with daily phonics sessions and a wide selection of age-appropriate books fostering a "love of reading".
• Staff feel "well supported by leaders," who provide training and are mindful of workload.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure they identify the specific knowledge and skills pupils need in all subjects, as current plans in some areas are unclear, preventing deep understanding.
• Leaders must ensure staff develop expertise in wider communication strategies, as current underdeveloped approaches "hampers pupils’ ability to communicate effectively."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders creating a strong culture where keeping pupils safe is everyone’s responsibility and staff know how to act if a pupil is at risk.