Hollywater School

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, though inspectors noted that a graded inspection might yield a lower judgement due to a decline in the quality of education since the previous visit. The school is described as a ‘nurturing and inclusive’ environment where pupils have a ‘strong sense of belonging’ and benefit from ‘strong, trusting relationships’ with staff. However, weaknesses in the curriculum mean pupils ‘do not achieve as well as they should’, prompting the school to take ‘decisive action’ to improve educational outcomes.

Strengths

• Pupils are ‘polite and thoughtful’, with staff responding ‘sensitively and carefully’ to help them regulate emotions.
• The sixth form curriculum is ‘well crafted’, tailored to individual needs and linked closely to education, health and care plans.
• Personal development is ‘well catered for’, with pupils engaging in charity work, leadership roles, and enterprise opportunities.
• Individual learning, pastoral, and medical needs are ‘identified and known well’ and responded to ‘thoughtfully’ through daily therapeutic support.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure all subjects ‘identify the essential knowledge and skills pupils need to learn’ precisely, as current inconsistencies hinder progress.
• Staff require better training to ensure they have ‘strong enough subject knowledge’ and understand the best ways to help pupils learn.
• The reading curriculum needs effective implementation, ensuring all staff have the expertise to teach the phonics programme successfully.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.