Newman School

Overview

This focused monitoring inspection addressed concerns regarding leadership, governance, and safeguarding. Inspectors found that recent leadership changes have led to a clear understanding of issues, with targeted measures now in place to strengthen provision and ensure pupil safety. The report confirms that safeguarding standards are met, creating an environment where children feel safe and concerns are actively managed.

Strengths

• Leaders have established a "secure safeguarding culture" with improved strategic oversight and rigorous systems for checking care procedures.
• Staff possess an "improved and in-depth understanding" of following established procedures, particularly regarding medical and personal care.
• The school is described as a "calm environment" where pupils establish "positive and warm relationships with staff."
• Pupils benefit from individualised support tailored to their education, health and care plans, with access to resources for sensory and physical needs.
• Leaders work proactively with external professionals and have improved processes for following up on pupil absences.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must "strengthen their strategic oversight of systems to monitor pupils’ attendance," as current tracking methods vary and reduce precision.

Safeguarding

The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed.