Springfield House Community Special School

Overview

The report states that the headteacher and senior leaders have "transformed this school" since a previous inadequate rating, resulting in considerable improvement across all respects. Pupils "enjoy learning" and make good progress in a calm environment where staff provide "excellent care" and manage behaviour effectively.

Strengths

• Staff ensure subject content is "interesting, engaging and relevant," with "increasingly high expectations" that pupils respond to well.
• Reading has improved significantly; "phonics is taught well throughout the school" and most pupils have become "proficient readers."
• The personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme is "highly effective," using role-play to help pupils understand emotions and stay safe.
• Assessment is used well, with detailed "learning support plans" and "behaviour support plans" helping staff adapt teaching and manage incidents.
• The school engages well with families, providing support for attendance and helping parents access extra help when needed.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in some subjects is "not yet as well adapted to meet pupils’ needs as it could be," requiring further refinement within an identified timescale.
• The curriculum does not extend beyond the classroom sufficiently, meaning pupils have "limited opportunities to develop their talents and interests."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with a strong culture of keeping pupils safe, thorough pre-employment checks, and staff who are well-trained to identify signs that pupils might need extra help.