Rocklands School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The new headteacher's enthusiasm and drive in leading her team has helped to make significant improvements in a short time. The headteacher and her leadership team, supported by governors, have worked hard to analyse and use data to improve teaching and learning.

Pupils make at least good progress and some are now making outstanding progress. Parents appreciate the education and care provided by the school and describe it as 'brilliant'. The Early Years provision is good with pupils making at least good progress in their learning and social skills.

There is a wide range of interesting learning activities both indoors and outside. Pupils ...settle down to learn very quickly and difficult behaviours are managed extremely successfully. The staff team work well together to provide a bright welcoming school where each child is well cared for and safe.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : It is too early to see the full impact of the headteacher's improvements. Although teaching is mainly good, elements of teaching still require improvement, and not enough is outstanding. Teachers do not always use the assessment information they have to improve learning.

The marking policy is not used consistently so that pupils are not always aware of what they need to learn next and how to improve their work. At times there is insufficient focus on learning while care needs are being met.

Information about this school

Rocklands is a primary special school for pupils with severe, moderate, profound and complex learning difficulties, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum.

There are two separate classes for pupils with the most complex autistic needs and a separate group in the mornings for those with the most complex and profound learning needs. The school shares its campus with the Gateway Nursery which is managed by the governors and senior leadership team of Rocklands. Charnwood Primary School, Lichfield Dyslexia Centre, Families First and the Children's Centre are also on this site.

The headteacher was appointed in January 2013. The school provides outreach support, on behalf of the local authority, for pupils with special educational needs in local mainstream schools. Pupils attend the school from Lichfield and surrounding areas.

The majority are White British. Approximately a third of pupils are supported by the pupil premium. This is extra funding to help pupils in this school who are looked after by the local authority or eligible for free school meals.

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