Knightsfield School

Overview

Knightsfield School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection, continuing to provide high-quality education for deaf pupils. The report confirms that pupils flourish within a positive ethos, gaining the confidence and communication skills necessary to thrive in education and the wider world.

Strengths

• Pupils learn the curriculum exceptionally well, with staff ensuring knowledge is taught in a sensible order and providing timely support to prevent pupils from falling behind.
• The school’s auditory-oral approach enables pupils to articulate themselves incredibly well in speech and writing, with strong support for reading development.
• Positive relationships and a well-established ethos ensure pupils show great care for others, developing excellent social skills through programmes like ‘smile’.
• Staff morale is very high, with leaders supporting professional development and maintaining reasonable workloads despite recent staff changes.
• Strong partnerships with local providers enhance the curriculum, offering subjects such as animal care and mechanics, while sixth-form students are highly successful in off-site studies.

Areas to improve

• The careers provision currently lacks many opportunities for pupils to experience the workplace, though the school is broadening ways pupils engage with the world of work.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.