Ickburgh School

Overview

Ickburgh School continues to be a good school, where pupils are happy, feel safe, and enjoy attending. Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum and strong relationships with specialist therapists, ensuring that teaching is tailored to pupils’ complex needs and individual journeys.

Strengths

• Pupils are met by "smiling, friendly staff" and are encouraged to be independent, making "meaningful choices throughout the day."
• Teachers have a "secure understanding of the subjects" and devise "fun and imaginative" activities that keep pupils engaged.
• Staff manage emotions and behaviour "consistently and expertly," allowing pupils to return to learning quickly.
• Leaders provide a "rich programme of social and cultural opportunities," including workshops, trips, and sports that promote healthy lifestyles.
• Staff feel valued, with leaders actively checking to "streamline" new systems to eliminate workload duplication.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure the curriculum is "consistently strong in all areas of learning" so that pupils’ learning is as deep in underdeveloped areas as in others.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders taking a "rigorous approach" and staff being well trained to spot signs that a pupil might need extra help.