Heatherwood School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The senior leaders and governors have an exceptionally strong vision for the school. They focus on ensuring that teaching and learning are the very best they can be; and that they are partnered by outstanding care and guidance. Senior leaders have brought about much improvement since the previous inspection and show the determination for this to continue.

For example, their quest to develop a system to check in detail on pupils' progress has led them to visit schools up and down the country to seek good practice. Their perseverance has paid off and their newly developed system is highly effective. Although several governors are new to thei...r posts, they already know the school well.

They offer highly informed and relentless challenge to senior leaders, but are also rightfully proud of the school's achievements. The curriculum is very well honed to meet the needs of individual pupils. Trips away from school enrich pupils' experiences and enable them to gain a better understanding of the world around them.

After-school clubs offer them a wealth of opportunities to enjoy their favourite activities outside school time. Middle leaders share senior leaders' passion for the school and play an important role in school improvement. Staff meticulously plan work for individual pupils.

Teachers and teaching assistants work very closely together to ensure that pupils make as much progress as possible. The development of pupils' communication skills and independence is a key priority for all staff and pupils make great gains in both these areas. Parents are highly supportive of the work of the school and feel that staff always go the extra mile to support the needs of their children.

Parents feel staff are approachable, caring and know their children well. Children who start in the early years unit make exceptionally good progress from their different starting points. Staff are very skilled at recognising their needs and check the small steps of progress they make with scrupulous care.

Students who attend the school's post-16 provision make good progress, but on occasion the work set for them is not well matched to their needs.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school caters for up to 60 pupils, all of whom have education, health and care plans or statements of special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The school does not use alternative provision. The vast majority have profound and multiple learning difficulties. A smaller number have severe learning difficulties.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by pupil premium funding is higher than the national average. The school provides part-time education for children in the Nursery and full-time education for those who attend the Reception class. The school has a small post-16 unit which caters for the needs of students aged between 16 and 19.