MEADOWBANK SPECIAL SCHOOL

Overview

The report describes Meadowbank as a “nurturing and safe environment” where most pupils have settled well into their new routines. While leaders show resilience during a period of significant change, the lack of strategic processes prevents the school from moving forward in a timely manner.

Strengths

• Pupils feel “safe and secure” and display confidence, with behaviour described as “exemplary”.
• Most pupils make “suitable progress” in line with their individual education plan targets.
• Staff provide “sensitive support”, helping pupils develop independence and social skills.
• The school has forged “strong” working relationships with parents, particularly for new intakes.
• Pupils enjoy using sign language and the “total communication approach” to develop oracy skills.

Areas to improve

• Address the “safeguarding concerns identified during the inspection”.
• Improve the “literacy and numeracy skills of all pupils” and strengthen curriculum planning.
• Develop systems to “quality assure the work of the school and track pupil progress”.

Safeguarding

The report states that arrangements “generally meet requirements” but notes that “a small number of issues were brought to the attention of the school during the inspection,” requiring immediate action.