Kingsdown School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage get off to a good start and make good progress in all areas of learning. Pupils throughout the school make good progress in communication, reading, writing, mathematics and personal, social and health education. Pupils make outstanding progress in music and a significant number of pupils with physical disabilities make outstanding progress in physical skills, for example, learning to walk.

The impact of teaching on pupils' learning over time is good. Teachers manage pupils' behaviour consistently well and maintain excellent relationships with them. Staff make good use of signing, symbols and p...ractical resources to stimulate and support pupils' learning.

Behaviour and safety are outstanding. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is at least good and often outstanding. Pupils always stay very safe in school and on visits.

The headteacher and deputy headteacher are providing strong leadership and direction for the school in ensuring that pupils' well-being, learning and the quality of teaching are good. Governors make a good contribution to school improvement and are holding the school to account for its work. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils do not always build on their prior learning.

Subject leaders are not checking that staff always record the small steps of progress pupils make in their work books. Sometimes it is not possible to track the progress pupils are making in their books because staff do not consistently record the small gains in learning over time.

Information about this school

Kingsdown School caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

A significant number of pupils have physical disabilities with associated learning difficulties. Nearly all pupils have communication difficulties. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives pupil premium funding is high (47%). This is additional government funding for pupils entitled to free school meals or who are looked after by the local authority. A very small number of children in the Nursery attend alternative child care provision at La Balon Rouge and Home From Home in Southend for two days per week.

The premises and accommodation have been refurbished since the last inspection. There is a new swimming pool, soft play area, dark room and extensive outdoor play equipment. The number of pupils on roll has greatly increased and the school is oversubscribed.