Royal Free Hospital Children's School

Overview

This ungraded inspection found that aspects of the school’s work “may not be as strong as at the time of the previous inspection,” triggering a future graded inspection. Despite this, the report highlights a “safe space” where pupils are “valued and celebrated,” resulting in “exemplary” behaviour and high parental satisfaction.

Strengths

• Pupils are “proud and happy,” with staff creating a “positive, well-staffed environment” that limits bullying.
• Staff promptly establish connections with pupils, accurately identifying special educational needs and reassuring them they can “stay on top of their schoolwork.”
• The curriculum is enriched by therapies such as “equine therapy, art therapy and drama therapy,” which help pupils develop resilience.
• Leaders prioritise staff well-being, fostering a culture of “openness, collaboration and support” where staff feel “listened to and supported.”
• The school effectively prepares pupils for adulthood, with a careers programme that helps them consider future options despite medical diagnoses.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum is “not yet consistently effective” because it is in the “early stages” of design; consequently, “pupils do not build their knowledge well enough over time” in some subjects.
• The school must ensure all subject curriculums are “implemented as intended” so pupils progress logically through learning.

Safeguarding

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