The Orchard School

Overview

The Orchard School is stabilising following a period of significant upheaval, with new leaders beginning to overhaul systems. While safeguarding standards are met and personal development is at an expected standard, the report identifies that achievement, attendance, behaviour, curriculum, inclusion, and leadership all need attention.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
• Personal development is at an expected standard, with pupils developing "resilience and independence" through trips and diverse activities.
• Staff foster "positive relationships with pupils," helping them manage emotions, notably through support from the school dog.
• Governors provide "clear oversight" and hold leaders to account effectively, particularly regarding disadvantaged pupils.
• Staff feel "well supported" and are "committed to the pupils," working hard to build trust.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure assessments are effective so teachers can help pupils "know and remember more of the curriculum."
• Staff need to apply behavioural expectations "consistently" and design effective routines for transitions and breaktimes.
• Leaders should develop a "secure understanding of the impact" of current strategies to define clear improvement priorities.

Safeguarding

The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe" through an open culture where responsibilities are clearly fulfilled.