Ivy House School

Overview

Ivy House School continues to be an outstanding school, providing a nurturing environment where pupils thrive. Leaders and staff know pupils exceptionally well, setting ambitious learning goals that result in strong achievement and excellent relationships. The school is praised for its close collaboration with parents, health professionals, and social care providers to meet pupils' complex needs.

Strengths

• Pupils are supported by an "ambitious curriculum" with communication skills at its heart, using techniques like Makaton and symbols to help them express their views.
• The reading curriculum is "very well planned," focusing on prerequisite skills such as identifying sounds and developing working memory before introducing letters.
• Staff break learning into small steps to build cognition skills, allowing pupils to apply knowledge in real-life contexts, such as using money at a café.
• Personal development is prioritised, with staff ensuring pupils’ views are sought and teaching them to ask permission before physical contact.
• Preparation for adulthood is thorough, with staff accompanying pupils on visits to potential future placements or providing videos to aid informed decision-making.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.