Lakeside School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher is determined and relentless in his focus on improvement.

This is driven by his passionate belief that all students, irrespective of their circumstances, are entitled to the best possible education. Since the previous inspection the proportion of students achieving good GCSE passes, including in English and mathematics, has continued to rise. When students are admitted to the school, their attainment is low because of a history of disrupted education.

However, all groups of students catch up quickly with their work and achieve exceptionally well. Outcomes are never less than good, and often outstanding. Last year's... results showed almost all students moved on to college, training or into jobs when they left the school.

Teaching is outstanding. Teachers are highly skilled in their planning and in the way they ask questions. In the very best lessons teachers take every opportunity to help students develop their own initiative as learners.

Students rapidly improve their attitudes and behaviour because imaginative and highly effective behaviour plans are implemented consistently by the school. A very high proportion of students are eligible for the government funding known as pupil premium and these students make excellent progress because of timely and carefully targeted support. The curriculum is individual to each student and exciting.

The school's particular strengths in art, information and communication technology (ICT) and design and technology lead to raising students' self-esteem and then their greater progress in reading, writing and communication. The highly effective leadership team and governing body have significantly improved the school since the time of their previous inspection. At the heart of this success is their shared belief that tailored support for each student is essential.

Leaders and governors continually review the performance of staff and students. It is a school where there is no hiding place for underperformance. The school receives effective support from the local authority with whom it works to support the other school in the federation.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and appreciate the excellent progress their children make.

Information about this school

Lakeside is a smaller-than-average size maintained part residential special school for 77 boys aged 11 to 16. All students enter school with a statement of special educational needs due to behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

Many have associated disabilities including autism and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).. Students are drawn from the whole of Hampshire and the school offers a residential facility for up to 18 boys.

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds and almost all speak English as their first language. Almost two thirds of the students are supported by the pupil premium. This is well above the national average.

Lakeside currently caters for three pupils from service families. Since September 2010, the school has been part of a federation with Grangeside School, Basingstoke, with which it shares a governing body. Students attend this school, and two local mainstream schools, for some of their lessons.

Also at this postcode