Longwood School

Overview

Longwood School is rated as 'Good' across all inspection categories, marking a significant improvement from its previous 'Requires improvement' judgement. The report highlights a positive school culture where pupils feel safe, respected, and proud of their attendance. New leadership has successfully reviewed and improved the curriculum, resulting in a calm learning environment and strong personal development for students.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate "mature social skills," showing respect, compassion, and good manners, which fosters a "positive school community."
• The curriculum is well-considered, with staff possessing "strong subject knowledge" and using clear plans to teach concepts effectively.
• Early years provision is excellent, with "well-designed spaces" and skilled staff helping children become "independent learners" and develop resilience.
• Reading instruction is robust; pupils receive daily phonics lessons and targeted catch-up sessions, ensuring they become "fluent readers."
• The personal development programme helps pupils understand diverse beliefs, disabilities, and their role in society through age-appropriate discussions.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, staff do not fully implement the intended curriculum, meaning pupils are "not making as much progress through these subjects as possible."
• Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is "not as effective as it could be" because assessment processes do not always accurately identify specific needs or match support to gaps in understanding.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."