Fox Grove School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Fox Grove is an exceptional school.

It is an inspirational place where pupils, at all stages of their school life, thrive, both socially and academically. The school is ambitious for every pupil. Through the exceptionally strong and trusting relationships with staff, pupils relish their learning across a breadth of subjects.

As a result, pupils learn how to communicate their feelings and ideas very well. Children in the early years respond enthusiastically to stories. Students in the sixth form enjoy developing the skills they need for a successful life beyond school.

Staff are highly knowledgeable about the specific educational and personal needs of pupils. ...This results in every pupil progressing through an expertly designed curriculum that focuses on helping them to grow their love of learning.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Where required, well-trained staff provide expert support, helping pupils to regulate their emotions with dignity. Pupils demonstrate an exceptional sense of belonging, pride and self-worth, understanding the overwhelmingly positive contribution that they make to their community. Bullying is understood and not tolerated.

As a result, the school provides a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, including those with the most complex needs.

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

Leaders have meticulously designed a curriculum that provides pupils with the skills and knowledge they need to flourish and achieve. Pupils are taught essential communication, reading and numeracy skills.

They also learn to be part of a thriving community, through developing independence and personal skills. Staff organise learning in a logical way. This encourages pupils to feel confident to tackle any challenges that they face, both in and out of school.

Pupils at the early stages of development learn to read through a well-designed phonics programme. Using repetition, rhyme and sensory props, pupils learn to respond to texts very well. Staff skilfully extend pupils' communication skills by building their knowledge of vocabulary and sentences.

Pupils love stories and enjoy the opportunities staff give them to read and perform out loud. These reading opportunities are expanded as they move through the school. Students in sixth from develop the same passion for stories using texts that are right for them.

In early years, children explore new sounds, textures and rhymes through a carousel of activities. Highly trained staff help children to focus their attention and engage well with their classmates and the classroom environment. Leaders combine unbridled ambition with a methodical scientific approach to ensure that as pupils move through the school, they have age-appropriate experiences.

Careers and planning for the future permeate through everything the school does. This results in pupils and their families feeling supported and empowered to aim high when deciding their next steps in education or employment.Leaders rigorously monitor pupils' progress through the curriculum and against the targets set out in education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Staff break plans down into smaller targets, which they review regularly. Leaders ensure that pupils, parents and carers have a meaningful role in this process. Indeed, this tenacious approach is also adopted when leaders consider pupil attendance.

Regular contact between key staff and parents means that support for pupils is seamless between the school and home. The result is that everyone understands the importance of being at school. When needed, staff support parents to establish routines at home, such as with sleeping and attending medical appointments.

Parents appreciate this partnership.

Pupils learn the routines of school and the importance of socialising with others exceptionally well. The routines of learning are well embedded.

As a result, pupils learn to manage their emotions and are highly motivated to succeed. There is a calm, purposeful environment across the school. Everyone recognises their role in supporting the school's values to help everyone succeed.

The school works closely with trust leaders to ensure that all staff have the training and expertise they need to provide the excellent care and provision on offer. In turn, staff provide an extensive amount of valuable advice and guidance to the wider education community. Leaders continuously seek to refine and improve provision while being considerate of staff well-being.

Staff report a strong sense of being part of the school's journey so far, and actively help leaders to develop all aspects of school life. They demonstrate an absolute commitment to providing the very best for all pupils.

Trustees and local governors provide expertise and support in equal measure.

They share the same vision of enabling pupils to flourish in their learning in preparation for the life after education. They ensure that all pupils have the resources, equipment and tools to do so. Staff are overwhelmingly proud to work at the school.

They feel very well supported by leaders and undergo continuous training. They are well equipped to expertly meet the sensory, emotional and physical needs of each pupil.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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