Springwell School

Overview

Springwell School has taken effective action to maintain the high standards identified at its previous inspection, which judged it outstanding for overall effectiveness. The report confirms that leaders have sustained a high standard of education, with pupils thriving in a "welcoming, happy and inclusive environment" where they are "nurtured as valued members of the school community."

Strengths

• Pupils exhibit "excellent" behaviour and "excellent attitudes to learning," supported by a strong ethos of respect and highly skilled staff who help them manage emotions sensitively.
• Staff are "highly proficient" in teaching effective communication strategies, including signing and symbols, ensuring pupils can express their needs and feelings successfully.
• The curriculum fosters a tangible "joy of reading for pleasure," with teachers delivering phonics with skill and pupils enjoying multi-sensory storytelling sessions.
• Exceptional pastoral care ensures pupils, including those with profound and multiple needs or medical conditions, feel safe and receive the personal care required to access school life.
• Governance is "very effective," with leaders sharing expertise with other schools and parents praising the school for going "above and beyond" to provide the best education.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must further refine the curriculum to provide greater precision and specific guidance for staff responding to the increasing number of pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties.
• The school should extend its effective use of assistive technology to meet the growing communication needs of pupils.

Safeguarding

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