Curnow School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Because they are so well taught in every class, pupils make excellent progress during their time at this school.

They are extremely well prepared for the next phase of their education, and their lives after school, by the time they are ready to leave. Teachers' very high expectations, together with their unceasingly enthusiastic approach in lessons and elsewhere, means that pupils look forward to coming to school and are always highly engaged in learning, inside and outside the classroom. School leaders, including governors, are uncompromising in their pursuit of excellence.

As a result, standards have risen and the achievement o...f almost all pupils is outstanding, as is the quality of teaching. There is strong drive for continuing improvement in the school. Individuals and groups of pupils make considerable improvements with behaviour because staff are always positive and ensure that the atmosphere is well ordered.

School leaders provide an environment which is as secure as it can be. Pupils confirm that they feel safe while at school. Sixth form provision is outstanding.

Students in the sixth form achieve exceptionally well. Their teachers have designed highly effective programmes which provide rich opportunities for using the skills they have learned in classrooms over many years in the wider community.

Information about this school

Curnow School provides for pupils who have severe learning difficulties.

Some have physical and sensory difficulties while others have an autistic spectrum condition. Pupils come to school from the surrounding towns and villages. The school has very close links with other professionals.

Therapists and a nurse work with pupils at the school in a specially resourced unit known as The Hub. There are many more boys at the school than girls, especially in the sixth form. The overwhelming majority of pupils come from White British backgrounds and English is the home language of nearly everyone.

A large number of pupils in the sixth form have all their lessons in classrooms on the site of a mainstream academy a few miles from the main site. Plans to move younger children to a mainstream primary school site are at an advanced stage. All pupils have a statement of special educational need and approximately one third of pupils are known to be entitled to receive support through the pupil premium funding.

School leaders provide support to other schools and children's centres in the locality, especially in the areas of assessment and curriculum planning. In recent years, the school gained specialist status in communication and interaction. The school meets the government's floor standard, which sets the minimum expectation for students' attainment and progress.