St Ann's School

Overview

St Ann’s School continues to be an outstanding school, providing a high-quality education for pupils with complex needs. Leaders ensure that every pupil benefits from a well-designed curriculum and individualised support, fostering an environment where students feel happy and safe.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy attending school, with "very positive relationships between staff and pupils" and behaviour that is "well managed" and viewed as communication.
• Communication is a key focus, with staff systematically developing approaches using signs, symbols, and gestures to ensure "every opportunity for communication is taken."
• The curriculum is "well-designed and well-sequenced," focusing on life skills and building on previous learning to help pupils access social experiences.
• Parents and carers actively contribute to pupils’ targets and support community-based lessons, such as using public transport, which builds confidence for life outside school.
• Staff receive extensive training and feel supported by leaders, while governors contribute positively to the school’s work as a team.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with appropriate checks in place for staff recruitment and concerns about pupil welfare quickly reported and addressed.