Woolley Wood School

Overview

Woolley Wood School continues to be a good school, providing a nurturing environment where pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties thrive. Leaders maintain high expectations, fostering strong relationships with families and ensuring a bespoke curriculum that prioritises communication, reading, and independence. The school’s vision of delivering a ‘Once in a lifetime’ education is evident through enriching experiences, including forest school activities and educational visits.

Strengths

• Pupils arrive with enthusiasm, displaying high levels of happiness and confidence, supported by staff who understand their individual needs deeply.
• The curriculum is carefully tailored to individual education plans, with particular success in developing communication skills for all pupils, including those who are pre-verbal.
• Personal, social and health education (PSHE) is taught competently, promoting respect for diverse cultures and faiths through age-appropriate lessons and visits.
• Early years provision is thoughtful, with staff and therapy teams collaborating closely to maximise progress in social skills and exploration.
• Staff workload is manageable, and leaders are approachable, creating a supportive culture where professionals feel valued.

Areas to improve

• Class teachers must assess pupils’ progress in phonics accurately and regularly, as current assessment practices are inconsistent.
• Governors require training to challenge senior leaders with sufficient rigour, ensuring school development work proceeds at an appropriate pace.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.