Falconer School

Overview

This ungraded inspection found that aspects of the school’s work “may not be as strong as at the time of the previous inspection,” triggering a future graded inspection. The school provides a “lifeline back into learning” for pupils with significant educational disruption, helping many secure post-16 qualifications. While improvements in curriculum and behaviour are emerging, inconsistencies in teaching and attendance remain concerns.

Strengths

• The school has built an “ambitious curriculum” and uses robust systems to manage education, health and care plans.
• Pupils achieve well in vocational studies, such as design and technology, and sustain concentration in mathematics and science.
• Positive relationships exist, with pupils having “trusted adults and mentors” and feeling the site is “safe and secure.”
• The personal development programme effectively improves social interaction, communication, and independence.
• Governors provide “effective oversight” and have clarity over the school’s strategic direction.

Areas to improve

• Work set for pupils lacks high expectations or precise tailoring to fill knowledge gaps, particularly in writing, causing disengagement.
• The phonics programme is not followed consistently, leaving pupils with reading difficulties without systematic support to catch up.
• Too many pupils are not attending school full-time, limiting their achievement; staff need better skills to sustain attendance.
• Governors must collaborate with the local authority to secure resources needed to implement the strategic plan.

Safeguarding

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