Brackenfield Special School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at Brackenfield Special School.

All pupils who attend this school have an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Warm, caring and respectful relationships underpin the high-quality education that pupils receive. A skilled staff team welcomes every pupil each morning, ensuring a positive and calm start to the day.

Pupils develop strong friendships with one another.

Consistent, safe routines ensure pupils know what lies ahead each day and throughout the day. Staff expertly use a wide range of communication approaches to support each pupil.

Pupils feel safe and love their time at Brackenfield. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Th...e school has meticulously planned out the curriculum for each of the five curriculum 'pathways' from early years to key stage 4.

The curriculum meets the wide range of pupils' complex needs exceptionally well. This, combined with high expectations and a personalised approach to the curriculum, means that pupils achieve strong personal outcomes from their starting points. They are exceptionally well prepared for adulthood.

Pupils love spending time with the school dogs, Teddy and Harvey, and cycling on the school's 'Brack Track'. They enjoy experiences in the school's sensory immersion room and soft play.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school does everything possible to develop a detailed understanding of pupils' starting points.

This includes their communication and learning needs, sensory needs, and emotional and health needs. As a result, staff have an in-depth understanding of what each pupil needs and when. This leads to all pupils following highly bespoke learning pathways that meet their needs exceptionally well.

These pathways are based on a well-constructed curriculum that has a clear set of goals. These ambitious, yet realistic, goals are set out in achievable and detailed steps. Pupils respond by trying hard in lessons.

Staff celebrate achievements, however small, with joy which is shared by pupils. As a result, pupils enjoy their learning.

The school is determined to achieve the absolute best it can for all pupils.

Staff have regular professional development which ensures teaching is skilfully adjusted to meet pupils' needs. This includes the extensive, skilful use of a wide range of communication methods. As a result, pupils develop the ability to express their emotions, needs and knowledge.

The youngest children quickly become comfortable in their new surroundings. They develop strong relationships with adults, learning and developing well. Children enjoy songs and rhymes as well as sensory stories.

When ready, pupils access pre-phonics and phonics learning. Pupils are provided with books to read that match the sounds they know. As a result, they develop fluent reading skills.

Reading is a high priority. Pupils love stories being read to them and performing in the school annual production. For example, pupils loved the recent production of 'Matilda', which they performed to parents.

Staff are well trained to support pupils showing any signs of upset or distress. The school works exceptionally well with pupils to develop ways of helping them to remain calm, sometimes modelling this until they can do this independently. This helps pupils to remain calm and get back on track with their learning.

Pupils behave exceptionally well in lessons and around the school. As a result, the school is a very calm environment which promotes learning at every opportunity. The school's work over the past few years to improve attendance has had a significant impact.

Pupils attend school well.

The personal development offer for pupils is exceptional. It is a golden thread through all the school does.

Pupils learn about important aspects of safety, such as how to stay safe on the roads and online. They learn about topics such as how to keep themselves healthy and positive relationships. As part of enterprise education, pupil make crafts which they sell locally.

They learn about money when they go to the shops. Pupils enjoy growing food in the school garden and cooking meals together. Pupils therefore gain the confidence, knowledge, and skills they need for life after school.

The school provides strong careers advice and support to all pupils. Comprehensive independent living and employability curriculums ensure that pupils are well prepared for adulthood. All pupils who have recently left the school have successfully moved on to college or appropriate further training.

Governors provide unwavering support for leaders. Governance of the school is highly effective. Leaders are relentless in their desire to improve the life chances of pupils.

Staff say that school leaders consider their workload and well-being when making decisions. Staff are very proud to be part of the school which has a genuine sense of teamwork.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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