Pencalenick School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Trustees have high expectations for the school and the trust. They have strengthened the school's leadership and management to fulfil their vision. The new management team has secured good-quality education and care and is now making appropriate changes to improve these further.

Leaders know their school very well. They recognise that middle leadership needs strengthening to ensure consistent practice throughout the school and implement improvements. Strong subject knowledge underpins good teaching.

This means that pupils make good progress, particularly in English, mathematics and science. Pupils who attend the area resource bases (ARBs)... make good progress because of the support they receive from staff. Pupils are cared for well, both in the school and in the residential setting.

They are proud of their school. They feel valued and safe. They behave well.

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are becoming increasingly confident in using specialist knowledge in their teaching and approach to pupils. Staff are meeting pupils' emotional needs better, and pupils are learning more as a result.

The residential provision is valued, well managed, and contributes significantly to pupils' good outcomes and experiences. Some areas of record-keeping and approaches to behaviour require attention. The school meets the national minimum standards for residential special schools.

Pupils with the most complex needs develop important life skills that prepare them well for their future. Compliance with regulatory requirements and national minimum standards for residential special schools The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 ('the independent school standards'), the national minimum standards for residential special schools and associated requirements.

Information about this school

Pencalenick School is a residential special school for students with complex learning difficulties and disabilities.

A large proportion of the students are boys. All pupils have education, health and care plans. Approximately a quarter of pupils are eligible for pupil premium funding.

Since the last inspection, the school has expanded its age range and now admits pupils in Years 5 and 6. It has recently taken over the management of two area resource bases in mainstream secondary schools. The school has a new headteacher who joined the school in September 2018.

Pencalenick is one of four special schools that make up the Special Partnership Trust, a multi-academy trust. A board of trustees, chief executive officer and an executive headteacher oversee the work of the school. There is also a local governing body.