Sandside Lodge School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Almost all students demonstrate levels of attainment well below those of their peers in mainstream schools because of their special educational needs. Nevertheless, they gain knowledge, skills and understanding at a rate that is generally in line with national expectations.

Their achievements are good. Almost all gain qualifications and examination passes in Key Stage 4 and the sixth form because of the literacy and numeracy skills they have previously developed in school. Teaching has improved since the time of the last inspection and is now good overall.

Through the recent good work of staff, students' standard of reading has improved ...rapidly. Students also show great confidence when speaking and listening. The sixth form is good.

Students are prepared well for moving on to the next stage in their lives. Students' behaviour is outstanding from the Reception Year to the sixth form. It is closely linked to their outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the school.

The new headteacher and senior team have significantly improved the school since the last inspection, including students' achievement and the quality of teaching. There is evidence the school will rapidly improve further. Leaders are determined to provide the very best for students and ensure that they have good life chances.

The governing body is supportive of the new headteacher and is becoming increasingly effective in providing appropriate challenge and support to the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : In some lessons, teachers use only a very restricted variety of teaching and learning methods and students then lose interest. Sometimes, the activities planned by teachers are not matched closely enough to students' interests and abilities and this restricts their learning.

Students cannot always make the best use of the written materials that teachers provide to them. The governing body cannot show that the pupil premium funding is always used specifically to benefit the students for whom it is intended.

Information about this school

All students have a statement of special educational needs.

Sandside Lodge admits those having severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties. Around a quarter of students have additional learning difficulties associated with autism or communication. Currently, there are very few children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and they are placed in the first of the primary classes.

Around a quarter of the students are girls. The proportion known to be eligible for the pupil premium funding is close to the national average for all schools. The pupil premium is additional funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and children that are looked after by the local authority.

The very large majority of students come from a White British background reflecting that of the local district of South Lakeland. A small number of students undertake some aspects of their education at other local secondary schools so they can utilise specialist resources. There is no alternative provision.

The headteacher was appointed in September 2011. Other changes in staffing have also taken place, including in the senior team. A major review of posts held by teaching assistants is currently under way.