The Observatory School

Overview

The Observatory School is a special school where pupils are described as "happy" and "well cared for," benefiting from strong relationships with staff. The inspection found that the school maintains high expectations for achievement and has successfully expanded to three distinct bases while keeping its vision and ethos intact.

Strengths

• Adults develop "strong and trusting relationships" with pupils, who feel "accepted, valued and well cared for."
• The curriculum is "ambitious," enabling pupils to achieve nationally recognised qualifications including GCSEs and functional skills.
• Reading is a "high priority," with effective checks helping pupils become "confident and fluent readers."
• Personal development is central, with pupils learning about mental health, healthy relationships, and different cultures to prepare for "life in modern Britain."
• Leaders are "approachable" and actively consider staff well-being and work-life balance.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum does not meet the needs of all pupils; the school should evaluate where refinements are needed to ensure all learners achieve well.
• Policies and practices have not been applied consistently across all sites during rapid expansion, causing some disruption; the school must ensure consistent implementation to support learning without interruption.

Safeguarding

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