Russet House School

Overview

Pupils are described as happy and flourishing in a calm atmosphere where they feel safe and secure. The report highlights that staff provide consistent support tailored to individual education, social, and communication needs, resulting in pupils becoming increasingly confident learners. Leaders maintain strong links with parents, who express high satisfaction with the care and teaching provided.

Strengths

• Pupils behave well, bullying is rare, and staff effectively manage emotions to help pupils regulate their behaviour and concentrate.
• The curriculum is carefully structured for pupils with special educational needs, with teachers adapting activities into appropriately designed small steps.
• Leaders prioritise communication skills, ensuring staff consistently use alternative means such as symbols and pictures for those who need them.
• Staff are well supported, and governors hold leaders to account for the quality of education through established systems.
• Pupils are well prepared for transition to secondary education, having practised important life skills through community visits.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum is not yet sufficiently well planned and sequenced in some subjects, preventing pupils from building understanding over time.
• A small proportion of pupils ready for phonics are not taught in a consistent, systematic way, hindering their reading progress.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify vulnerabilities and pass on concerns promptly.