The Hamlet School

Overview

Stephen Hawking School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection, continuing to provide an excellent education for pupils with complex needs. The report highlights a joyful school environment where staff have a detailed understanding of each pupil’s vulnerabilities and complex requirements. Leaders and staff are committed to sustaining the school’s high level of performance through a pupil-centred approach.

Strengths

• Pupils display a ‘can-do’ attitude and enjoy playing and working alongside friends, with unkind behaviour being ‘extremely rare’.
• The curriculum is ‘ambitious and pupil-centred’, sharply focused on individual needs and tailored by teachers with ‘additional expert adaptations’.
• There is a ‘strong team of therapists and health staff’ who work in a coordinated way to support pupils’ physical health and development.
• Personal development is ‘highly developed’, offering rich experiences in arts, sport, and culture, including residential trips and museum visits.
• Staff feel ‘very well supported’ and value the consideration given to their well-being, contributing to a positive school culture.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff being vigilant in checking on pupils’ safety and well-being throughout the day.