Isebrook School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Students achieve well. Achievement in many vocational and practical subjects, and in literacy and numeracy in some age groups, is outstanding. The work of the senior leadership team is transforming the school and improving the students' futures and staff's career opportunities.

The behaviour of students is good. There are few incidents or outbursts, and students say they feel safe at school. Pupils' attitudes to learning in almost all lessons are excellent.

They are keen to learn. The school's work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding. Staff do a great deal to support students' wide-ranging, complex needs.

Te...aching is good and is improving as a result of effective management support, training and new resources. Relationships between staff and students are excellent. The school provides a rich, memorable range of subjects and activities that form a very good basis for teaching and learning.

Almost all parents, carers, staff and students are happy with the school's work. Careful thought has gone into recent school developments to ensure that they reinforce each other and add up to sustainable, wide-scale improvement. The sixth form is good and students are prepared well for further education, employment or training.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : A small amount of teaching has weaknesses which limit students' learning. Not enough is outstanding. The leaders responsible for the quality of provision and students' achievement in subjects are inexperienced and new to their roles.

Achievement is not consistent in all subjects and age groups. A few courses are not demanding enough for more-able students.

Information about this school

Isebrook College caters for students with a range of needs.

Most have moderate learning difficulties and some have severe learning difficulties. About half the students have additional autistic spectrum conditions. Many students have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and a few have very challenging behaviour.

The number of students on roll is rising year on year. There are more boys than girls. All students have a statement of special educational needs.

While some transfer into Year 7 from the local primary special school, many students join Isebrook from mainstream schools later in their school career. The number of sixth form students has nearly doubled since the previous inspection, and the sixth form occupies new, purpose-built premises. A much larger proportion of students than the national average is entitled to the pupil premium.

This is extra government funding to support those known to be eligible for free school meals, those looked after by the local authority and those with a parent in the armed services. The college is part of a consortium of local special schools which together provide vocational opportunities for students in Key Stage 4 and the sixth form. These are Wren Spinney School, Maplefields School, Billingbrook School and Northgate School.

The school also uses EquATA, the REAL project and Moulton College for equine therapy and accreditation for certain students. The headteacher has been in post since September 2012, and the deputy headteacher since January 2013. Implementation of a staff restructuring was completed in January 2014.

More than 10 members of staff have left the school and 22 new members of staff started at Isebrook at the beginning of this term. Most teaching assistants are now attached either to a class or to a subject. The five middle leaders have been in post for one week.

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