Peak School

Overview

Peak School is a special academy where pupils “enjoy school” and feel “happy and safe.” The report highlights a “calm and orderly environment” driven by staff who have “high expectations” and use positive relationships to support learners. Leaders have taken “effective action to improve the school since its last inspection,” ensuring that the education provided has a “positive impact upon pupils with different starting points.”

Strengths

• Staff “identify pupils’ needs quickly and accurately” and deliver a “carefully adapted curriculum” that helps pupils thrive.
• The school prioritises “communication and language skills,” successfully helping pupils develop a “love of books” and read “fluently and with expression.”
• Pupils are “well prepared for their adult life,” benefiting from tailored careers education and opportunities to “expand their talents and interests.”
• Leaders and the trust provide “beneficial professional development opportunities” and are “mindful of staff workload,” supporting staff well-being.
• There is a “positive and respectful culture throughout the school,” with pupils valuing rewards for exhibiting core values such as kindness and teamwork.

Areas to improve

• The report states that “on occasions, activities in class are not sufficiently focused on pupils gaining the key knowledge that they need,” meaning some pupils do not achieve as highly as they could.
• The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge to select activities that help pupils “secure the intended learning.”

Safeguarding

The report confirms that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”