Fordwater School, Chichester

Overview

Fordwater School continues to be a good school, with evidence suggesting it could be judged outstanding if a graded inspection were conducted now. The report highlights a warm, vibrant environment where staff are highly skilled at understanding the complex needs and nuanced communication of pupils. Leaders prioritise personal, social and emotional development, ensuring every pupil follows a meticulously planned, personalised learning journey.

Strengths

• Staff role model kindness and compassion, fostering strong relationships where pupils state that ‘bullying does not happen here’.
• The ‘Fordwater Aims’ curriculum is broad and ambitious, with knowledge broken into manageable chunks to help pupils make connections between ideas.
• Expert teaching and a pre-phonics curriculum help non-verbal pupils discern rhythms and vibrations to communicate effectively.
• Sixth-form students benefit from an ambitious curriculum that prepares them well for adulthood through qualifications and enterprise projects.
• An extensive team of health professionals works collaboratively to provide high-level care, including sensory input and hydrotherapy.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders maintaining increased vigilance for behaviour changes and providing regular training to staff.