Spa School, Bermondsey

Overview

The report describes an aspirational special school for pupils with autism, where the curriculum is designed to prepare learners for adulthood through meaningful and functional experiences. Inspectors found that pupils enjoy attending school, feel safe, and build positive relationships with peers and staff. The overall effectiveness is judged as Good, with behaviour and attitudes rated as Outstanding.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "ambitious" and helps pupils gain qualifications and skills for their "next steps in education or employment."
• Staff know pupils "exceptionally well" and adapt teaching in an "individualised manner" to support learning and address knowledge gaps.
• Pupils develop independence through "weekly learning in the community," such as visits to libraries and supermarkets, and sixth-form students participate in residential stays.
• Behaviour management is effective, with staff trained to support pupils when "distressed behaviours occur," leading to improved behaviour over time.
• The school fosters a culture where pupils understand autism and each other’s unique needs, resulting in cooperative peer relationships.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure staff "check pupils’ phonics reading accuracy routinely and systematically" to address mistakes quickly and build fluency.
• In a few subjects, curriculum thinking is still developing; leaders should ensure it "specifically sets out what they want all pupils to know" to prevent gaps in foundational knowledge.

Safeguarding

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