Springfield House School

Overview

Springfield House School is a small independent provision for pupils aged 11 to 18, many of whom have been out of education for extended periods. The report describes a setting where pupils enjoy learning and behave exceptionally well within an “inclusive and supportive environment.” Staff prioritise building trust, enabling pupils to re-engage with education and achieve well from their different starting points.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “highly positive attitudes” and behave exceptionally well, with staff skilfully teaching strategies to manage behaviour.
• Personal development is described as “exceptional,” with pupils engaging in activities like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and community contributions.
• The curriculum is “tailored highly effectively” to individual needs, including matching PSHE education to pupils’ therapeutic journeys.
• Pupils leave “well prepared for their future learning” and secure college places or move into successful semi-independent living.
• Attendance is “very high,” and the school provides a “high-quality and impartial” careers guidance programme.

Areas to improve

• Staff do not use checks on pupils’ understanding effectively enough, causing pupils to move on to new learning before securing important knowledge.
• Selected tasks sometimes fail to help pupils embed important knowledge, meaning gaps in understanding persist.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”