Springhead School

Overview

Springhead School continues to be an outstanding school, providing a calm and purposeful environment for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders have high ambitions, ensuring every pupil can “find their voice, be heard, and be safe” while developing independence and self-regulation.

Strengths

• Pupils are happy, proud of their achievements, and display “exemplary” behaviour, with staff providing “subtle and nimble” support for emotional management.
• Communication is central to the curriculum, with all staff trained in Makaton and using tools like symbol exchange to help non-verbal pupils connect.
• A bespoke core curriculum allows for individualised learning across three pathways, ensuring “no ceiling on pupils’ success” with in-the-moment assessment.
• An impressive range of on-site therapies, including a sensory hydrotherapy pool and school dogs, has led to a “significant improvement in attendance.”
• Sixth-form students prepare thoroughly for independent living through practical experiences, such as managing an allowance in the school café, and tailored career support.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders described as “tenacious” in ensuring pupils are safe and efficient systems are in place to track concerns.