Treloar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The principal, senior leaders and governors provide impassioned and highly skilled leadership that enables pupils to achieve outstanding success. The school is an inspiring setting in which pupils are constructively supported to overcome barriers to learning, including physical disability. Pupils benefit from well-coordinated support from staff and external agencies.

Consequently, they make exceptional progress with communication and learning. Staff involved in pupils' care, support and education leave no stone unturned to find innovative ways in which pupils can participate in lessons. Teachers know their pupils exceptionally well.
...r/>They use assessment information to plan pupils' next steps in learning and to motivate them. Pupils say that their lessons are interesting from start to end and that there is nothing they can think of that would improve their experience of school. Governors know the school well and bring many professional skills to the team.

They use these incisively to contribute to the school's continuous improvement. They are uncompromising in their expectation that pupils should have the very best provision to meet their needs. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

Older pupils learn to be self-assured, considerate of others and to recognise their own and others' achievements. They are adamant that there is no bullying. Pupils reflect positively on the many memorable opportunities they have.

They excel in a wide range of sports, enjoy music and drama performances and exhibit their artwork. These experiences help to develop their aspirations. Many parents say that, over time, their children achieve in ways they did not think could ever be possible.

Pupils' learning accelerates as they progress through the school. In Years 10 and 11, and in the sixth form, they strive to achieve high-quality accreditation. The sixth-form curriculum contributes strongly to students' futures by developing relevant skills.

They make impressive gains in their learning, social and personal development. Provision in the early years is good. Although pupils in the early years make strong progress, leaders are aware that the curriculum does not precisely meet all pupils' learning needs.

Information about this school

Treloar School is a non-maintained special school for pupils aged between 2 and 19 who have multiple and complex disabilities that require specialist teaching, therapy and care. It is managed by The Treloar Trust and a local governing board. Since the last inspection there has been a change of principal.

A newly appointed headteacher came into post in January 2018. All pupils have an education, health and care plan for their special educational need. In addition to their prime need, approximately half of the pupils are non-verbal.

On entry to the school, most pupils' attainment is typically below or well below levels that are typical for their age. A few pupils have hearing or visual impairments, or an acquired brain injury. Some pupils have degenerative and/or life-limiting conditions.

Since the last inspection, the school has admitted pupils into Reception and key stage 1. The nursery has extended its operation from one to three days a week. Almost all pupils are placed in the school by their local authorities.

A small number of pupils are privately funded. Most pupils are of White British heritage, with a much smaller than average proportion of students from minority ethnic groups. There are similar numbers of boys and girls in the school.

The school has a lower-than-average proportion of pupils who are eligible for pupil premium funding. The school does not use any alternative provision. The school meets the regulations for non-maintained special schools.