Shepherds Down Special School

Overview

Shepherds Down Special School continues to be a good school, providing a warm and secure environment where pupils feel comfortable and safe. Leaders have developed a broad, balanced curriculum tailored to individual needs, with staff demonstrating high expectations for behaviour and learning. The inspection confirms that the school remains effective in supporting pupils with complex special educational needs and disabilities.

Strengths

• Staff greet pupils with a "warm welcome," helping them feel "comfortable and safe" and fostering a positive school culture.
• Leaders have developed a "broad, balanced and carefully designed curriculum" with continuous assessment that adjusts activities to meet individual pupil needs.
• The teaching of reading has been strengthened, with a "well-established phonics programme" and engaging resources that capture pupils' interest.
• Personal development is integral to school life, with pupils learning practical skills such as cookery, online safety, and communication through signing and boards.
• Parents are "very positive," with many stating the school goes "above and beyond" to support their children and families.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should implement plans to consistently deliver a new programme helping pupils recognise feelings and manage behaviour, as variations in delivery mean some pupils lack necessary strategies to regulate their responses.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders acting quickly on welfare concerns, staff being knowledgeable and confident, and governors having strengthened their oversight of statutory duties.