Norwich Steiner School

Overview

Norwich Steiner School is described as a "positive, respectful community" where pupils enjoy a "specialised curriculum which promotes creativity and independence." The inspection confirms that the school meets independent school standards, with staff demonstrating secure knowledge of the Steiner Waldorf approach and pupils making "good progress through the curriculum."

Strengths

• The curriculum is "sensitively designed" with subjects that "overlap, inter-link and build pupils’ knowledge over time," including unique opportunities in music, craft, and literature.
• Pupils are "confident, articulate individuals" who feel safe to express themselves, with sixth-form students acting as "great role models for younger pupils."
• Staff use "effective approaches to support pupils to learn to read," ensuring that by the end of lower school, pupils read "confidently and fluently."
• A "well-considered" personal, social, health and economic curriculum teaches pupils "well and impartially" about diverse topics, fostering a strong sense of community and cultural awareness.
• Sixth-form students receive "high quality careers advice and guidance," supporting their transition to "high-quality apprenticeships, universities and workplaces."

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure that information regarding pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is "fully detailed" so that staff can adapt lessons effectively.
• Staff need to use this detailed information to support pupils with SEND to "make the best possible progress," as currently some lessons are not adapted well enough for a minority of these pupils.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."