Sutton School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Sutton School and Specialist College is a good school and has made significant improvements since the last inspection.

Teaching is now consistently good which enables students to make good progress. Teaching has many strengths. Marking is informative and students know what the next steps are to improve their learning.

The school tracks progress carefully and uses this information to inform planning and improve students' learning. Parents report that students enjoy attending the school and that behaviour and safety has improved. Behaviour and safety are good.

The headteacher has worked well with the leadership team and governing ...body to improve the quality of teaching and the range of qualifications offered to students since the last inspection. Students have a good understanding of safety and appropriate conduct. They demonstrate good attitudes to learning in lessons.

Students appreciate the widening range of qualifications and study options. They enjoy lessons in art, music and preparing for work. Students particularly enjoy being part of the school brass band and taking part in trips abroad with the school.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not enough outstanding teaching to enable students to make excellent progress. The school does not always enter students for higher-level qualifications which would enable them to demonstrate typical or better progress in English and mathematics. There are insufficient opportunities for students to develop independent and investigative study skills.

Not all students are aware of the next steps they need to take to improve their reading skills.

Information about this school

The Sutton School and Specialist College educates students with moderate learning difficulties and a few have severe learning difficulties. Some students also have additional needs, such as autism or speech and language difficulties.

The school is now part of a trust with a neighbouring special school, Halesbury. There are two governing bodies which report to the trust board. The headteacher of this school is also the executive headteacher of the partner trust school.

The proportion of students entitled to the pupil premium is above average. The pupil premium provides additional funding for students looked after by the local authority or entitled to free school meals. More than three quarters of the students are boys.

All students have a statement of educational need and most pupils are White British. The local further education college uses some of the school's facilities for post-16 provision for students with additional needs. This is does not include the school's students and the college's provision does not form part of this inspection.

Students from the partner trust school are educated on this site to enable them to follow accredited studies. Some students access work-related learning activities, such as health and beauty, at the partner trust school. A few students study for examinations at the local mainstream secondary school, Holly Hall Academy.

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