Culverhill School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Culverhill is a school where positivity, acceptance and friendship shine through.

Staff ensure that each pupil is at the core of everything they do, reflecting the school's mantra of 'inspire, nurture, thrive'. The warm and nurturing relationships between staff and pupils sit at the heart of the school's success. Pupils are listened to.

This develops a strong sense of community and keeps pupils safe. Pupils are extremely proud of their school and attend regularly.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in lessons and during social times.

They demonstrate high levels of respect and kindness towards one another. Pupils are polite and well mannered. They accept... each other's differences.

Pupils go out of their way to help and support friends experiencing challenges.

Staff work tirelessly to ensure pupils' needs are met well from the moment they start school. Developing pupils' independence is carefully threaded throughout the curriculum.

This consideration ensures pupils are exceptionally well prepared for the world beyond school.

Pupils relish the opportunity to take on positions of leadership and responsibility, such as school councillors and eco-warriors. They undertake these roles with pride.

Pupils learn what it means to be active and responsible citizens.

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

The school and trust are aspirational for all pupils. They are unwavering in their determination to provide the very best learning experiences.

Pupils' education, health and care (EHC) plans are pivotal to curriculum development. Pathways are designed with precision to meet the needs of pupils. As a result, the school provides an outstanding curriculum that enables pupils to experience significant success academically, socially and emotionally.

However, the school is not complacent in its continued drive for excellence. It leaves no stone unturned in finding ways to refine and tweak the already excellent provision.

Careers information, personal development and preparation for life are impressively intertwined within the academic subjects.

This ensures that pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their interests. There is no ceiling on pupils' aspirations. The school does all it can to encourage and develop pupils' ambitions.

Careers events, work experience, visits and visitors are carefully planned and contribute to pupils being exceptionally well prepared for life beyond school.

Reading is central to the curriculum. The school aspires that all pupils will become, at the very least, functional readers.

Staff are well trained in the teaching of phonics and early reading. Books are carefully chosen which excite pupils and match their phonic knowledge. Pupils understand the importance of reading.

Consequently, pupils learn to read exceptionally well. They talk knowledgeably about their favourite authors and genres.The development of pupils' independence is a priority.

As part of their learning, pupils experience and develop a range of skills, such as travelling independently, home maintenance and cooking. In addition, pupils have the opportunity to go on residential trips and into the community. Pupils love running the regular coffee mornings, where they can practise money management and develop their communication and social skills further.

All these activities help build pupils' employability and increase their independence.

Pupils consistently have positive attitudes and show commitment to their education. They demonstrate high levels of motivation and show resilience and determination when they face challenges.

Pupils are respectful of everyone within the school and beyond.

Pupils' mental health and emotional well-being are of the utmost importance to the school. Staff, alongside a range of highly effective therapeutic provision, ensure pupils receive the right support at the right time.

Pupils appreciate the 'worry box' to alert staff when they are anxious. They are confident that immediate action will be taken to resolve any worries they may have. Gus, the therapy dog, is a favourite visitor to the school, who helps pupils to relax and aids their ability to communicate their feelings.

Parents are overwhelmingly happy with the school. They appreciate the outstanding education and care their children receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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