Crownbridge Special Day School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Crownbridge School continues to provide highly effective education for children and young people with complex and multiple learning needs.

Staff at the school have created an inclusive and nurturing space where pupils are safe to express themselves. The involvement of pupils in, for example, decision-making is a particular strength. Staff are sensitive to the needs of pupils and pupil well-being is at the heart of the school.

The needs of pupils vary considerably, and the school makes effective provision for pupils including re-purposing rooms for individual pupils, who might otherwise have been placed in out of county specialist provision, to be taught on a one-to-one or two-to-one basis. Staff generally have a very secur...e understanding of the needs of the pupils and plan meaningful and enjoyable activities that allow them to make progress at an appropriate pace. In general, many pupils have very positive attitudes to learning and, with the sensitive support of staff, persevere well.

As a result, pupils become increasingly confident in their learning and as individuals. The creative skills of pupils are a particular strength. Pupils gain valuable experiences through song and dance as well as innovative art activities.

The school has adapted extremely well to the challenges of the pandemic and understands the need to re-establish previously familiar routines for pupils. Despite the need to operate strict contact groups, staff provide pupils with thoughtful and worthwhile support to help them return and many pupils attend regularly. The number of pupils on the roll of the school continues to increase and is due to increase further with the planned extension.

Leaders at the school provide a clear vision for the future that is understood well by staff. Leaders and staff have shown great resilience and flexibility during periods of significant and ongoing daily challenge. Over the period of the COVID-19 pandemic approximately 20% of school staff have been and continue to be absent.

This continues to put considerable strain on ensuring appropriate staffing levels and impacts on decisions about teaching and support groups. Overall, pupils and staff have adjusted to these challenges exceptionally well and the school has remained open for all classes. Recommendations R1 Continue to ensure that the skills of staff are well matched to the needs of pupils R2 Ensure that feedback is purposeful and relevant, and that it allows pupils to progress What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection.