Kemball School

Overview

Kemball School continues to be a good school, where pupils with complex special educational needs and disabilities achieve very well. The report highlights that leaders have "high aspirations for all pupils" and meticulously plan to remove barriers to learning, resulting in a happy and purposeful environment.

Strengths

• Pupils are taught to read "exceptionally well," with daily phonics sessions ensuring even those who do not communicate verbally can read accurately.
• Staff are highly skilled in using a wide range of communication systems, including signing and electronic devices, allowing pupils to express their thoughts and needs from the start.
• The school has created an "ambitious curriculum" with four learning pathways carefully designed to meet pupils’ specialist and academic needs.
• Pupils behave calmly and are supported to understand their emotions, while older pupils benefit from leadership opportunities that promote social development.
• Parents and carers are "very positive about the support and care their children receive," and staff feel well supported by leaders.

Areas to improve

• In some parts of the curriculum, essential knowledge and vocabulary are not identified or sequenced clearly, meaning pupils are not building knowledge in a "clear, logical order."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.