The Garden School

Overview

The report describes a special school where leaders have taken effective action to strengthen provision, resulting in high expectations for all pupils. Staff build positive relationships that help pupils feel happy and safe, while a new ambitious curriculum is being established to support learning from early years through to the sixth form.

Strengths

• The school has "high expectations for all pupils" and works effectively to establish aspirations through strengthened curriculum and accreditation routes.
• Staff "get to know pupils well," fostering trust and resulting in behaviour that is "mostly settled and calm."
• There is a "systematic approach" to phonics teaching, with staff having "secure knowledge" and pupils’ outcomes improving.
• The school provides diverse experiences to nurture talents, including work with professionals and "weekly enrichment visits to forest schools."
• Leaders work closely with parents, offering workshops on topics such as "understanding autism" and supporting communication.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum does not define essential knowledge clearly, preventing pupils from building learning "cumulatively and securely."
• The effectiveness of teachers’ checks on learning is variable, meaning gaps in understanding are not always identified or addressed consistently.

Safeguarding

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