Hillside Special School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Determined, purposeful leadership by the headteacher has helped the school to grow from strength to strength. The common sense of purpose and shared responsibility is a thread that runs throughout the school. All staff work in unison to do the best for each individual pupil.

This means that every pupil does well, the vast majority exceptionally so. Teaching is very well planned. It is the fine detail that teachers put into their lessons that makes it so effective.

Consequently most teaching over time is outstanding. When teaching is good, it is really good as there is so little to improve. The sixth form is good and give...s students a highly individual education.

Information and communication technology is a particular strength of the school. Given the difficulties some have controlling their behaviour, pupils behave in an exemplary manner around the school and in lessons. Those pupils who have problems with their behaviour are given first-class support to help them overcome their difficulties.

Pupils say they feel safe and happy in school and learn to look after themselves. All parents and staff agree pupils are very well cared for. Governors know the school well so they are able to ask the headteacher the right questions to make sure the school is doing all it should.

Information about this school

Hillside School caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties, many of whom have associated medical, sensory or behavioural needs. Some pupils have profound and multiple learning difficulties or autism spectrum disorder. Most pupils have statements of special educational need apart from part-time pupils in the assessment nursery who are being assessed.

Many of these also attend mainstream nurseries. These pupils either transfer to mainstream or join Hillside School full-time. Most pupils attend the school from south west Suffolk, including the towns of Haverhill and Sudbury and their surrounding villages.

Almost all are White British and speak English as their first language. A very slightly above proportion of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium (extra government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, looked after by the local authority or from a family with a parent in the armed forces). Some older pupils also attend Priory School as they are studying for additional qualifications.

Key Stage 4 pupils go to West Suffolk College once a week for work-related courses. Most pupils leave at the end of Year 11 to join local colleges with specialist provision. The school provides an outreach service alongside two other Suffolk special schools to support pupils with special needs in mainstream.