Morecambe Road School

Overview

Morecambe Road School continues to be a good school, described by parents and staff as a “one big happy family” where pupils are happy and eager to learn. Leaders have successfully adapted the curriculum to meet the complex needs of pupils with severe learning difficulties, ensuring they build knowledge over time and develop independence. The school provides a warm, secure environment where relationships are central, and pupils achieve highly in both academic and personal development.

Strengths

• Teachers have “high expectations for every pupil” and use personalised teaching activities that engage learners and allow them to build on existing knowledge.
• Assessment strategies are used well to identify gaps in knowledge, enabling teachers to reshape teaching so pupils can overcome these before moving to new concepts.
• Pupils develop a “love of reading” through creative methods such as sensory stories, puppets, and drama, gaining the skills to become confident readers.
• Staff are experts who proactively support pupils’ emotional and sensory needs, intervening “quietly, sensitively and with respect” to help them regulate behaviour.
• The curriculum prepares pupils well for adulthood, offering vocational courses, work experience, and opportunities like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to build resilience.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must finalise the curriculum for Year 11 pupils studying vocational courses, as it is currently unclear what these pupils will study or what qualifications they will work towards.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding” where staff are vigilant and respond swiftly to any signs of concern.