The Deenway Montessori School

Overview

The inspection found that pupils "love school" and benefit from a "strong community atmosphere" where they feel safe and valued. Leaders have successfully addressed previous issues, establishing a "well-designed curriculum" that prepares students effectively for future education, including GCSEs. The school is described as "bright, attractive and well maintained," with staff who are "open and responsive to feedback."

Strengths

• Pupils are "impeccably polite" and display "impressive" attitudes to learning within a "quiet, calm and studious atmosphere."
• The teaching of reading is a "notable strength," with a "well-established phonics programme" ensuring pupils develop strong skills and engage with a wide range of texts.
• Leaders have created a "whole school curriculum map" detailing content from early years to Year 11, demonstrating "high expectations" for personal and academic achievement.
• Attendance has improved, supported by "more robust procedures" to monitor and analyse patterns, ensuring leaders have a "clearer view" of trends.
• The school meets independent school standards, with "suitable fire safety arrangements" and high-quality resources supporting classroom learning.

Areas to improve

• The careers programme is "not as well developed as it could be," meaning pupils are not fully informed about the breadth of future options available.
• Resources such as playground equipment are not used "fully or routinely" to support the physical development of the youngest children.

Safeguarding

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