Valley School

Overview

Valley School continues to be an outstanding school where pupils with profound and severe multiple learning difficulties flourish socially, academically, and emotionally. Leaders and staff maintain high expectations, ensuring that children make ‘small steps, giant strides’ and achieve highly within a supportive and secure environment.

Strengths

• The curriculum meets the needs of all pupils ‘incredibly well’, introducing knowledge in a logical way through individual plans based on education, health and care (EHC) plans.
• Staff work closely with on-site health specialists, such as nurses and therapists, to create ‘aspirational and clear targets’ and respond quickly to pupils’ changing needs.
• Teachers use assessment effectively to prevent misconceptions and employ tactile resources and sensory activities to help pupils remember the curriculum.
• Leaders prioritise communication skills, using pictures, symbols, and technological aids skilfully to help pupils develop language and read with confidence.
• Staff support pupils with complex behavioural needs effectively, teaching them to manage their own emotions independently using strategies like picture symbols.

Areas to improve

The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and knowing pupils ‘incredibly well’ to spot concerns from the slightest changes in behaviour or presentation.