Waterside School

Overview

Leaders have fostered an “inspiring culture” where pupils “thrive and achieve well” in this “ambitious and welcoming” special school. The report highlights a “nurturing environment” that is “well organised, orderly, and productive,” enabling pupils to focus extremely well in lessons. Staff support pupils skilfully in managing their emotions, ensuring they can “refocus and settle quickly, ready to learn again.”

Strengths

• Leaders have established a “highly ambitious curriculum” that is “closely matched to pupils’ requirements” and sequenced carefully over time.
• Staff use “in-depth subject knowledge” to adapt teaching skilfully, helping pupils understand key concepts and apply understanding to problem-solving tasks.
• Developing reading is a key priority, with a “personalised approach to learning phonics” enabling many pupils to become “confident and fluent readers.”
• Staff use behaviour strategies with “high levels of consistency,” providing clear routines that “reduce anxiety for pupils.”
• Leaders promote personal development through “philosophical discussions and topical debates,” helping pupils learn about “accepting people with differences.”

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders advocating strongly for pupils and maintaining “very strong partnerships with external agencies” to ensure families receive help quickly.