New Fosseway School

Overview

New Fosseway School continues to be a good school, providing a supportive environment where pupils with complex learning needs feel safe and happy. The report highlights strong relationships between staff and pupils, alongside an ambitious curriculum designed to foster independence and active citizenship.

Strengths

• Pupils are happy and feel safe, with staff helping them express emotions and resolve issues quickly; one pupil described the school as ‘my second home’.
• Staff skilfully adapt the curriculum to meet individual needs, using creative methods like musical cues to develop communication skills and confidence.
• The sixth form successfully develops independence through college-based courses and high-quality impartial careers advice, leading to positive destinations.
• A well-structured approach to reading, including systematic synthetic phonics, ensures pupils develop fluency and accuracy matched to their interests.
• Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders being approachable and supportive, while governors hold leaders to account effectively.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum is not well matched to meet the learning needs of all pupils, meaning some do not make the progress of which they are capable. Leaders should continue to develop the curriculum in all subjects so it is consistently well sequenced and implemented.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture where staff are well trained, systems are robust and responsive, and pupils feel confident in speaking to staff.