Heelands School

Overview

Heelands School continues to be a good school, where pupils are happy, feel safe, and demonstrate a strong understanding of core values. The environment is calm, with high expectations for achievement and effective support for those needing additional help.

Strengths

• Pupils are "happy at this school" and "feel safe," knowing who to talk to if they have worries.
• The curriculum "clearly identifies the knowledge and skills pupils need for their next steps," supported by extensive staff training.
• Staff feel "exceptionally well supported," with workload discussions and adaptations ensuring their well-being is considered.
• Attendance has improved through effective work with families to overcome barriers, with the "majority of pupils attend[ing] school regularly."
• Pupils benefit from a range of trips and visits that "build on the taught curriculum," including theatre, zoo, and places of worship.

Areas to improve

• Staff need continued training on making "precise adaptations in their teaching" as activities are not always closely aligned to learning outcomes or pupils’ starting points.
• The school must develop a "consistent approach to the teaching of transcription" to ensure pupils become accurate and fluent in their writing.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."