Riverwalk School

Overview

Riverwalk School is described as a "happy school" where pupils with complex needs receive "skilful support" within a "safe culture." Following a period of decline, the school and its trust have acted with urgency to implement a "clear vision for high-quality education," resulting in improved outcomes for pupils.

Strengths

• Pupils behave well, are "friendly and polite," and build "independence and resilience" through consistent structures and sensory activities.
• The curriculum has been reviewed to identify knowledge more comprehensively, with staff teaching effectively using activities that help pupils "remember and apply their learning."
• Strong support is provided for individual needs, with staff adept at breaking down education, health and care plan outcomes into small steps.
• There are "plentiful opportunities for enrichment," including swimming, cycling, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which help develop social confidence.
• The reading curriculum has improved, with a suitable phonics scheme that helps pupils develop "ability and enjoyment in reading."

Areas to improve

• The school must identify subject-specific knowledge to be assessed in all curriculum areas to ensure pupils’ learning builds on a "more secure foundation."
• Leaders need to communicate the rationale for changes more effectively so that staff "understand and support the changes" being introduced.
• Governance structures, particularly the localities committee, require improvement to provide the trust board with the "depth of information" needed for rigorous oversight.

Safeguarding

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