The Fountains Primary School

Overview

The Fountains Primary School is a special academy where leaders and staff work closely with parents to help pupils with complex needs thrive. The report describes a community where pupils are "happy and content," supported by "ambitious leaders" and "caring staff" who prioritise both academic achievement and social-emotional well-being.

Strengths

• "Behaviour and attitudes" are rated Outstanding, with pupils behaving well and "perceived bullying" being rare.
• "Personal development" is Outstanding, as pupils broaden their horizons through clubs and visits to places like London and Germany.
• "Early years provision" is Outstanding, with children getting a "great start" thanks to imaginative classrooms and careful liaison with pre-school agencies.
• Staff effectively support pupils’ communication and reading, using strategies like signing, symbols, and daily reading sessions to foster a "love of stories."

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure all staff consistently implement communication systems, as some do not adequately support pupils with "appropriate spoken language, symbols or signing."
• Leaders need to ensure staff adapt the curriculum to meet children’s "receptive, processing and expressive skills" so that all pupils learn as well as they could.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting an open culture that puts pupils’ interests first.