Fairfields School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils make outstanding progress in English and mathematics because they are taught exceptionally well. Pupils make rapid gains in communicating their needs using gesture, specialist technology and words.

As children in the Early Years Foundation Stage learn to make themselves understood they blossom in confidence and their behaviour improves significantly. Their achievement is outstanding. Pupils gain confidence in moving more freely by themselves because of a specialist program provided for them.

Teaching is inspirational. Teachers plan creatively to ensure activities are closely tailored to pupil's capabilities. They provide t...he correct level of challenge to help pupils to move on to their next important small step in learning.

Behaviour is outstanding. Meticulous care is taken to keep pupils safe and to remove barriers that would otherwise get in their way of learning. Pupils' intimate care and medical needs are met exceptionally well.

A rich range of subjects and therapeutic programs successfully contribute to pupils learning and outstanding achievement. The exceptionally effective leadership of the headteacher, other leaders and managers, and the governing body has led to improvements in the quality of teaching and raised pupils' achievement since the last inspection. The school provides high quality training and support for other neighbouring schools.

All the adults support pupils effectively. Very occasionally, when they work with pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, a lack of confidence to make on-the-spot changes in lessons slightly delays new learning.

Information about this school

This school makes provision for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorder and visual impairment.

A significant number of pupils have additional complex medical needs. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. A conductive education program (movement program) is delivered by two conductor tutors trained at the PETO Institute in Hungary.

Fairfields School is a National Teaching and Training School. As such it provides training and support for neighbouring schools within the local authority of Northamptonshire. The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives pupil premium funding is above the national average.

This is additional government funding for those known to be eligible for free school meals, from service families or who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above the national average, as is the proportion from families who speak English as an additional language. Ten pupils receive part of their weekly education in mainstream primary schools alongside their peers and a small number follow a design and technology course in a neighbouring school for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.