High Well School

Overview

High Well School continues to be a good school, with leaders ensuring staff maintain "high expectations of all pupils." The institution prioritises "preparing pupils for positive futures," offering a curriculum tailored to pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff are described as "dedicated and knowledgeable," fostering a positive environment where pupils and staff "get along well."

Strengths

• Pupils are taught well by staff who have "ambition for pupils" and provide effective support for their individual needs.
• Reading is a key priority, with pupils being "taught effectively how to improve their reading."
• Behaviour is managed effectively, with instances of physical intervention reducing over time as strategies to help pupils manage their behaviour improve.
• Staff report high morale, stating they are "overwhelmingly positive about the school’s leaders" and do not consider workload an issue.
• Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," with "robust" systems and rigorous checks on adults before employment.

Areas to improve

• Curriculum planning lacks clarity in some subjects regarding what is to be learned and when, leading to content being taught out of sequence across subjects.
• Many pupils lack a "secure knowledge of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds," with some using derogatory language about people who are different.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that systems are robust, record-keeping is detailed, and staff are fully aware of their responsibilities through regular training.