Heathfield Special School

Overview

Heathfield Special School continues to be a good school, where pupils “love coming” and their “enjoyment in their learning is clear to see.” Leaders work with determination to ensure pupils achieve their potential through a “well-crafted school curriculum” that carefully weaves in personal targets from education, health and care plans. Consequently, pupils “thrive,” developing confidence and resilience while being well prepared for secondary school.

Strengths

• Staff know pupils “exceptionally well” and care deeply about their well-being, creating a calm atmosphere where pupils feel safe and respected.
• The curriculum is “cohesive” and divided into three pathways, ensuring special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well catered for” with “suitable, sequentially planned learning activities.”
• A new structured phonics programme has been introduced successfully, with staff quickly developing expertise to “plan learning with precision” and engage pupils effectively.
• Pupils participate in a “wealth of regular enrichment activities and visits,” helping them access their wider community and socialise with family and friends.
• There is a “strong sense of teamwork and collaboration among staff,” who feel well supported by leaders in this “warm, friendly place to work.”

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure that planning for pupils’ progression is “consistently strong in all subjects,” particularly for those in the earliest stages of development who currently do not always receive appropriate learning activities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding” where well-trained staff are vigilant to potential risks and deal with concerns “swiftly and efficiently.”