West Mains School

Overview

The inspection team found that staff build strong, caring relationships and use effective communication approaches to help children participate confidently. However, the report identifies significant areas for improvement, particularly regarding wellbeing, equality, and inclusion, which were evaluated as 'weak'. Consequently, the school requires additional support and will undergo a further inspection within one year.

Strengths

• Staff create a "welcoming environment" through "strong, caring relationships" that help most children make positive connections with adults.
• A "wide range of communication approaches" including signing, symbols, and visuals are used effectively so children can "express themselves and participate more confidently".
• Children have "meaningful opportunities to share their views," including on budget decisions, leading to positive changes such as more school trips and playground improvements.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must strengthen support and supervision during transitions, ensuring staffing is planned so children requiring personalised support are assisted "promptly and effectively".
• Leaders need to work closely with parents and the local authority to ensure families feel "more informed and confident about decisions affecting their children".
• Teachers must adapt approaches so every child experiences the "right level of challenge," while leaders improve how progress is tracked to recognise "small steps of progress".
• Staff should ensure individual plans clearly outline proactive strategies to help children engage positively and strengthen approaches when children become "dysregulated".

Safeguarding

The report highlights a need to strengthen support and supervision when children are moving around the school, particularly ensuring those requiring personalised support for toileting or changing are supported promptly and effectively.