Cicely Haughton School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The school has maintained the high standards noted in its previous education and care inspections. The professional nurturing approach throughout the school and residence helps pupils to transform their behaviour and personal development. Behaviour and safety are outstanding.

Classes are calm and pupils nearly always have excellent attitudes to learning. The staff manage pupils' behaviour very well. Pupils enjoy school, their attendance is above average and they say they feel safe.

Many pupils return to mainstream school, very effectively supported by the transition team. The school meets the national minimum standards f...or residential special schools. The residential provision is outstanding in all areas.

Pupils say they enjoy staying the night at school with their friends, and all the activities that are provided. Achievement in reading and writing has improved rapidly due to the school's excellent approach to teaching it. The quality of teaching is outstanding.

Class staff work very well together, and lessons are fun and interesting so pupils enjoy them. Staff and senior leaders check on pupils' achievement closely. They provide extra support if pupils are falling behind.

Teaching is closely checked and senior leaders have a clear view of individuals' strengths. Pupils are given a very good range of interesting and relevant subjects and activities. The work of the school and as a Key Learning Centre is highly valued by the local authority, other schools and parents and carers.

The school is very well led and managed. Senior leaders understand its strengths and areas for development and are working very well to improve it further. The governing body is very well informed about the school.

Members are enthusiastic about the new federation and clear about the benefits it will bring to both schools.

Information about this school

Cicely Haughton School provides for pupils aged four to 11 years with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. It offers residential accommodation as part of its educational provision.

The school is a Staffordshire Key Learning Centre which supports pupils in mainstream primary school with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, and their staff. All pupils have complex needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and very challenging behaviour. Many experience other difficulties and social circumstances which affect their ability to trust adults and learn.

Almost all pupils have a statement of special educational needs, and the very large majority are boys. About half of the pupils are eligible for the pupil premium. This is well above the national average.

The pupil premium is an additional sum of money provided by the government to support the achievement of certain groups of pupils, such as those who are looked after and those known to be eligible for free school meals. Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds and none speak English as an additional language. The school has high levels of pupil mobility.

Pupils join at any time in their primary school years, and often in Years 5 and 6. Each year, a number return to mainstream school before they reach Year 6. Most pupils stay in the residential accommodation for up to three nights a week to supplement day-time education.

The school also offers after-school extended day, weekend and holiday activities. The school became federated with Loxley Hall school, a day and residential school for pupils age 11 to 16 years with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, on 1 May 2013. The governing body and executive headteacher are responsible for both schools.