Ganton School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

Ganton provides outstanding education, care and support for pupils. Pupils say the school is fantastic.

The older pupils are immensely proud of the modern building and are adapting quickly and confidently to new systems. The start of the day on both of the school's sites is very welcoming. Pupils are keen to enter school and their self- assurance is impressive.

They begin learning from the moment they enter school to when they leave. Engagement with parents and carers is outstanding. Due to the nature of their special educational needs and/or disabilities, the attainment of pupils on entry to the school and when they leave is low.

Their achievement is outstanding from the Early Years... Foundation Stage through to the end of Key Stage 4, and good in the sixth form. Systems to check pupils' progress are well embedded and senior leaders in the school scrutinise data effectively to identify where changes are required to improve the progress of individuals and groups. As a result, pupils with the most severe learning needs are making more progress than previously in response to changes made to the curriculum.

Pupils mostly enjoy school and feel exceptionally safe and they are confident that any concerns will be dealt with quickly. Pupils' attendance is increasing. However, school leaders do not evaluate the impact of their work enough to identify how pupils with medical needs might be better supported in light of the increased health and therapy resources.

The school provides exceptionally well to promote pupils' independence and their personal development. Their behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent. Pupils' pride in their school is well demonstrated in their willingness to undertake positions of responsibility such as helping to run the tuck shop and operate a regular fruit and vegetable delivery service.

The school has risen to the challenge of improving the quality of teaching since the last inspection and it is outstanding. This is because most teachers know the pupils very well and understand when, and how, to challenge them to best effect. Occasionally, planning lessons falls short of these standards and good practice is not shared systematically across the school to enable all teachers and teaching assistants to learn from each other.

Pupils are resilient in overcoming difficulties, for example; in their use of equipment such as head pointers to save work on the computer. The quality of the curriculum is outstanding and much improved since the last inspection. A much wider range of Key Stage 4 and sixth form courses and awards are provided for pupils.

Care, guidance and support are excellent and pupils thrive in this supportive environment and receive expert care to promote their well-being. Leadership and management at all levels are exemplary. Since the last inspection the school has enhanced and improved almost every key area of its work.

The senior leadership team has expanded and much has changed, or is in the process of changing. The school's capacity to improve is good. Staff, pupils and members of the governing body have worked hard in developing the new school while taking care to preserve its key features.

They have successfully ensured that 'Ganton continues to feel like a family'.

Information about the school

The school provides Early Years Foundation Stage, primary, secondary and sixth form provision for pupils with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Some pupils have complex learning difficulties.

All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. Many more pupils join the school other than at the usual times. The school draws pupils from a wide area of Hull and East Yorkshire.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above average. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage, with 8.9% from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The school is currently located on two sites: the secondary school and sixth form centre is co-located with the Sirius Academy and the primary provision is located about a mile away on the school's previous site. The school holds many awards including Healthy Schools status and the Eco Green Flag award. The school became a regional special educational needs leadership and innovation centre in 2011.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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