Royal School for the Deaf Derby

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Senior and middle leaders lead well and have improved the quality of teaching. Consequently, pupils are now making good progress through the school. Teachers focus on the knowledge and skills pupils require to make progress.

Teaching is well planned and tailored to pupils' needs. Most pupils meet their school targets at the end of key stage 4. Governors are very knowledgeable about the school and challenge leaders to raise standards further.

They are kept well informed about the progress pupils make. The curriculum is broad and balanced. Pupils study a range of subjects.

In addition, there are many extra-curricular activities. Th...ese include residential experiences, when pupils take part in adventurous activities, such as canoeing. Most pupils work hard in lessons.

The relationships between the staff and pupils are positive. Pupils' attendance is higher than for similar schools nationally. Children settle very well into early years.

The staff provide a very caring environment to enable children to feel safe and comfortable. Children are making good progress in their learning. The sixth-form provision is a strength of the school.

Pupils study a wide range of academic and vocational courses and are well prepared for their next steps. The current school development plan makes it difficult for governors to measure the success of any actions taken by leaders to improve aspects of the school's work. Some middle-ability pupils do not read as well as they should.

They do not know enough high-frequency words to help them understand texts. Some pupils who have more complex needs do not focus well in lessons. This disrupts learning.

Information about this school

The Royal School for the Deaf Derby is a non-maintained special school for deaf children and young people aged three to 19 years. Most places are funded by local authorities from across the Midlands and further afield. Children in Nursery Year attend part time until they start full time in their Reception Year.

The school has a residential boarding provision, managed by the governing body. There are currently 22 boarders. The overwhelming majority of pupils have an education, health and care plan.

Many pupils have complex learning difficulties. Approximately two-thirds of pupils are boys. Just over half of pupils are disadvantaged.

This is above the national average. The school uses three alternative providers. These are Derby College, Burton and South Derbyshire College, and Lees Brook Academy.