The Children's Trust School

Overview

The report states that pupils “flourish” at this special school, where their individuality is “recognised and nurtured.” It describes a “caring, child-centred culture” where staff are experts at helping pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties to communicate and participate confidently in the world.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “extremely effective,” providing an adaptable framework that ensures learning is “highly purposeful and individualised” based on pupils’ education, health and care plans.
• Staff are skilled at interpreting “every nuance in pupils’ behaviour and communication,” treating behaviour as a form of communication to address root causes and keep pupils engaged.
• Physical development is central to the curriculum, with staff combining targets with “specialist therapeutic input” to help pupils achieve greater independence in movement and posture.
• The school excels at nurturing pupils’ interests through “accessible art and music,” empowering them to express themselves creatively and take pride in their achievements.
• Leaders have created a “rewarding and supportive” workplace culture, with professional development opportunities that are “targeted for greatest impact on pupils.”

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

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