The Collett School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have maintained the good quality of education for pupils since the previous inspection.

Pupils settle quickly and well. Staff know and understand their individual special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. Pastoral care for all ages is outstanding.

Relationships between staff and pupils are highly positive. This results in lessons that run smoothly so pupils can learn and progress well. Leaders ensure that pupils have meaningful opportunities for work placements.

They are prepared well for the next stage of their education or work. Leaders have established effective links with businesses and other external provi...ders. The school has a good reputation in the community.

All pupils who left the school in July 2018 went on to further education or work after gaining suitable qualifications. This is the norm. Pupils behave exceptionally well.

This is because staff work hard to meet their needs. Pupils are happy and want to achieve well. Pupils make good and often better progress from their starting points in writing and mathematics.

The youngest children settle quickly and well into the routines of school. Adults provide precisely for their needs. Most parents are very happy with the work of the school.

They appreciate the pastoral care their children receive. Staff do not use the information from pupils' education, health and care plans (EHCP) as well as they could. The work to link their targets to the learning provided in class is new.

The head of school is currently reviewing the curriculum. It does not show progression opportunities as clearly as it could. The quality of governance has not been as effective as it could have been over this year.

Governors are no longer holding school leaders well enough to account for improving the quality of education. The approach to the teaching of reading is not strategic enough and there are too many approaches used. Leadership of this aspect is new.

Plans are underway to change this aspect of the school's provision. A significant minority of both parents and staff have mixed views about the effectiveness of leadership. They consider that leaders do not respond quickly enough to concerns they raise.

Information about this school

The Collett School provides education for pupils who have a range of complex SEN and/or disabilities. The majority have autism spectrum disorder, and a significant number have speech, language and communication needs. All pupils have an EHCP.

Pupils are taught in mixed-aged classes. The school can educate children from the age of four years old. The number of Reception-age children has been small over several years and is too low to make a separate judgement on their education.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for the pupil premium funding is above that found nationally. The school provides alternative education for students in key stage 4, in partnership with West Herts College. Since September 2017, the school has been working in association with another local special school.

The executive headteacher leads both. In January 2019, The Collett School is due to change to a Foundation school. At that point a federation for both schools with one governing body will be established.