Mitchell House Special School

Overview

Mitchell House School continues to demonstrate a "high level of capacity for sustained improvement" following a sustaining improvement inspection in November 2018. The report highlights effective leadership and curriculum development tailored to complex needs, though significant accommodation issues persist.

Strengths

• "Highly effective leadership" has driven a revision of the assessment system, leading to "more focused differentiated activities" and evidence of increased pupil engagement.
• The curriculum has been successfully developed to meet "increasingly wide range of complex pupil needs" through reorganised teaching arrangements and dual placements.
• Specific provisions include a key stage 4 class for pupils with complex needs and a "wider range of appropriate accreditation opportunities for senior pupils."
• Safeguarding arrangements reflect Department of Education guidance.

Areas to improve

• Accommodation issues "impact significantly on the pupil’s educational experiences," including small classrooms that restrict movement for pupils using wheelchairs.
• The hall is described as "unfit for purpose" for assemblies or physical education due to size and accessibility constraints.
• Restricted corridors, steep ramps, and non-weather-resistant walkways create difficulties for pupils with limited mobility accessing external classrooms.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that its safeguarding arrangements "reflect the guidance from the Department of Education."