Southlands School

Overview

Southlands School is a special school where pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities become "increasingly confident, sociable individuals" through dedicated support. The report highlights an "inclusive, open culture" with high expectations, noting that skilled leaders have driven significant improvements since the previous inspection.

Strengths

• Staff provide "precise teaching and support" in small groups, helping pupils achieve well and read with "increased confidence and accuracy".
• The curriculum is tailored to individual needs using "one-page profiles", ensuring pupils leave with "recognised qualifications" and continue in education after age 16.
• Pupils receive "high-quality pastoral support" and learn to manage their emotions and behaviour, contributing to an ethos of "acceptance and fairness".
• Leaders have taken "effective steps to ease the burden on staff" while maintaining the pace of school improvement, resulting in overwhelmingly positive parental feedback.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must continue work to "set out exactly what pupils should learn" in a few curriculum areas where teaching strategies are not yet "precisely matched to some pupils’ needs".
• The school should ensure teachers "deliver the curriculum well in all subjects" so that pupils’ knowledge is secure across the board.

Safeguarding

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