The Acorn School

Overview: The Acorn School is an outstanding independent school that provides a safe and warm learning environment for its pupils. The school's curriculum is ambitious and enables pupils to make strong progress, with a focus on artistic, physical, and creative talents. Pupils are highly motivated and enjoy a wide range of activities, including outdoor and beyond-school activities.

Strengths:

• Pupils describe the school as a very safe and warm place to be, with staff always checking on their well-being.
• The school's curriculum is very ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND, and enables pupils to make very strong progress.
• Staff use assessment precisely as a key aspect of teaching and learning, and pupils receive helpful feedback.
• The school's values are woven through every aspect of its provision, and pupils behave well, with strong attitudes to learning and high motivation.
• The high-quality careers education programme is securely embedded across the school, and pupils feel well-informed about keeping themselves safe and being well-prepared for the next stages of their education.

Areas to improve: The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders being very vigilant for any safeguarding concerns and providing good-quality training for staff.