Fox Hollies School

Overview

Fox Hollies School is described as a "vibrant, caring special school" where pupils are "safe, valued and almost always smiling." Leaders demonstrate "absolute dedication" to providing a high-quality education, with staff showing "considerable expertise" in meeting pupils' complex needs. The report highlights a culture of continuous improvement and strong engagement with families and external partners.

Strengths

• Attendance and behaviour are rated at a "Strong standard," with pupils being "happy, settled and feel safe" and instances of poor behaviour being "rare."
• Inclusion is a "significant strength," driven by staff’s "deep understanding" of pupils’ SEND needs and "highly effective adaptations" in lessons.
• Personal development is robust, with "preparation for adulthood" being "genuinely embedded" through real-life experiences like using local high streets.
• Leadership is proactive and strategic, maintaining consistent provision despite staff absences and fostering a culture that "welcomes scrutiny."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure all staff apply an "agreed approach to teaching foundational skills" to ensure consistent progress, particularly in early writing.
• Some pedagogical strategies for foundational skills are "less refined," leading to inconsistent modelling of letter formation and potential misconceptions.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."