Forest Moor School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils develop socially and academically at this much-improved special school. Pupils have a range of complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Staff at the school understand these needs extremely well. Pupils experience learning and enrichment that are well matched to their individual profiles. Pupils are kept safe in this nurturing environment.

Pupils learn a broad curriculum. Central to this are their SEMH targets. English and mathematics are prioritised.

All pupils leave with a qualification in these important subjects. This helps pupils secure important next steps in learning and employment.

Pupils place trust in the adults aroun...d them.

Bullying can happen at the school. However, most pupils have confidence that staff will resolve it quickly. Pupils benefit from the school's clear five-step plans for resolving bullying or discriminatory behaviour incidents.

These plans help ensure this behaviour does not spread. Staff ensure pupils learn from their experiences.

Pupils appreciate the opportunities for outdoor learning that the school provides.

They particularly enjoy caring for the school's animals. These include goats and chickens, as part of the developing school farm. Pupils enjoy taking part in activities during lunchtime with staff and with their peers.

For example, focused sports or art help them increase or decrease energy levels. Pupils use the time to talk to staff about their day.

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

The school has made significant improvements in recent years, with support from the academy trust.

In mathematics, the school has carefully chosen and adapted high-quality resources. This ensures an increased number of pupils achieve formal qualifications before they leave school. In English, the curriculum is text-rich and adapted to the needs of the pupils.

For example, Year 10 pupils enjoy learning about 'Of Mice and Men'. They show their understanding of influences on the writer. This includes the Wall Street Crash and the American Dust Bowl.

The sensory room brings the text to life. Images, lighting and sound help pupils picture the setting. However, in some subjects, the curriculum plans are not precise enough.

The school has not made clear the most important knowledge pupils need to know. Some pupils do not close gaps in learning rapidly enough. In subjects such as history and geography, pupils lack subject-specific knowledge.

This limits their progress.

Reading is a high priority in the school. Pupils enjoy dedicated time every day for phonics and reading development.

Trained staff help pupils to develop fluency and confidence in reading. Daily 'drop everything and read' time enables pupils to enjoy reading for pleasure. Throughout the school, staff read aloud from carefully chosen texts.

These books also support pupils' personal development. Through reading, pupils explore themes of identity that are relevant to them.

Forest Moor is a special school for pupils with SEMH.

Pupils can find it challenging to manage their behaviour within social norms. The school has well-established systems for supporting pupils when this happens. Staff are highly trained.

They ensure that a calm and caring approach is the basis of any interventions. Instances of dysregulated behaviour are responded to consistently. Restorative practice helps pupils develop coping strategies over time.

Many pupils travel long distances to get to school. They begin the day with nourishing food in 'nurture breakfast'. This provides the opportunity to prepare for the learning ahead.

They also discuss their personal goals with staff. For some pupils, the journey to school can be a factor in their low attendance. The school's attendance figures are lower than national and local averages.

Staff ensure that attendance improvement strategies are in place across the school and community. As a result, some pupils' attendance has improved. However, too many pupils still miss too much time at school.

Pupils enjoy a personalised SEMH curriculum. This is underpinned by their education, health and care plan. The curriculum helps prepare pupils for life after Forest Moor School.

Well-planned careers education supports their next steps further. Pupils achieve well-matched destinations at a range of post-16 placements.

The school has been on a rapid journey of improvement.

Leaders across the trust and school have raised standards and expectations. Staff recognise this change. They feel proud to work at the school.

One staff member echoed the views of many, saying they are 'invested in' by the school. Parents value the personalised learning that helps meet their child's needs.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Pupils' attendance has been consistently low over time. Pupils miss out on important learning and experiences too often. The school should intensify its work with parents and carers, as well as other agencies, to rapidly improve engagement in school so pupils can achieve the very best outcomes.

• In some subjects, the school has not precisely set out the most important knowledge and skills that pupils need to acquire. This means that, in these subjects, learning is not focused enough to help pupils secure the subject knowledge they need to close gaps and support future learning. The school should continue its cycle of curriculum review to ensure that pupils have the knowledge they need to succeed well in all curriculum areas.