The Greenwell Academy

Overview

The Greenwell Academy provides a "warm and highly supportive environment" where pupils with special educational needs and disabilities "thrive" and feel a "deep sense of belonging." Leaders have established a "calm and caring" school culture that successfully addresses pupils' social, emotional, and mental health needs, enabling them to rebuild confidence and re-engage in education.

Strengths

• Attendance is above the national average, with leaders acting quickly to "remove barriers" and support families.
• Staff know pupils "extremely well," providing "highly effective, individualised support" including in-school counselling and play therapy.
• Positive relationships and clear routines ensure pupils "feel safe," trust staff, and learn to "manage their feelings."
• The curriculum is "ambitious" and carefully adapted to meet individual needs, helping pupils achieve well from their starting points.
• Pupils are "valued members of the school community" who gain skills to overcome personal challenges and prepare for future steps.

Areas to improve

• Staff must ensure "precise, well-informed checks on learning" to identify and close gaps in subject-specific knowledge more consistently.
• Leaders should refine the careers education programme to provide pupils with opportunities for "meaningful work experience."

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.