Greenacre School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. This school has continued to improve markedly since the previous inspection.

Senior leaders and all of the staff share the highest expectations for students. Students make exceptional progress from their starting points in all areas of their learning. Their progress in reading, writing and mathematics is outstanding.

Students' progress in literacy and communication is extremely strong. The quality of teaching is at least consistently good and a significant proportion is outstanding. Teachers and support staff plan highly individual activities for each student so they make exceptional progress.

The sixth form is outstandi...ng. Students make excellent progress as a result of a varied curriculum, the high expectations their teachers have of them and the many opportunities they are given to develop their independence. Students feel safe and secure in this school.

Any difficulties with behaviour are managed with consummate skill. Staff use their excellent understanding of each student so that students develop high levels of independence in relation to their needs and wishes. Parents are key partners in their children's learning and progress.

The school creates many successful opportunities for parents to share activities in the school and to talk to staff, so students benefit from consistent approaches to their development and progress. Senior leaders and managers, including the governing body, work together effectively so they can realise their ambitions for their school. They constantly review their own work.

They look regularly at information that tells them how well students are doing to make sure students are making rapid progress.

Information about this school

Greenacre School is a large special school which provides for children and young people with severe and complex learning difficulties. A number of students have profound and multiple learning difficulties and many also have additional special educational needs and/or difficulties including physical and sensory impairments or difficulties on the autistic spectrum.

The school has an additional provision for 32 children and young people with communication and interaction difficulties and specific speech and language difficulties, funded by the local authority. All students have a statement of special educational needs. They attend the school from across Barnsley local authority.

Some students from neighbouring authorities also attend the school. Since the previous inspection, the school has moved into a newly built and re-furbished building. The number of students on roll has increased substantially and there is significant demand for places for new students.

The proportion known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding) is high. Most students are of White British heritage. There are a small number of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage who are taught alongside children of pre-compulsory school age.

A large number of students aged 16 to 19 attend the school's sixth form, Greenacre College, which is housed in the same building as the main part of the school. They attend the school's Life Skills House in Barnsley town centre for part of the time. A small number of students follow courses and/or work experience in construction, car mechanics and equine care at Barnsley Community Build, Riding for the Disabled and Motor Mouth.