Lisanally Special School

Overview

The inspection found that Lisanally Special School has a “high level of capacity for sustained improvement” with “Very Good” outcomes for learners, quality of provision, and leadership. The report highlights a “warm and welcoming ethos” where pupils are “well engaged” and making “very good progress” in their learning.

Strengths

• Pupils are “making very good progress” with an “appropriate emphasis on functional skills” tailored to their abilities.
• Senior pupils achieve qualifications and benefit from vocational courses, enhancing their “independence and self-esteem”.
• A “broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum” is supported by effective multi-disciplinary teams and positive working relationships.
• Leadership has developed a “collegiate approach” to strategic development, with staff committed to action plans.
• Parents expressed “high levels of satisfaction” with the life and work of the school.

Areas to improve

• Disseminate effective practice among all middle management to ensure consistency in guiding area development.
• Establish a whole-school system for tracking individual pupil progress and the development of functional mathematical skills.
• Governance requires further insight and knowledge of the curriculum and pupil outcomes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding children “reflect the guidance from the Department of Education,” and pupils report that they feel safe and know what to do if they have concerns.