Turney Primary and Secondary Special School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The executive headteacher, supported by senior leaders, has secured significant improvements since the last inspection. The governing body manages the strategic direction of the school very effectively.

Governors have been instrumental in securing greater capacity for improvement, including the federation of the two special schools. Leaders and staff work seamlessly together to ensure that pupils access the very best provision. As a result, the school makes a considerable difference to the education and life chances of its pupils.

A complete lack of complacency means that effective practice is continually refined to secure outstan...ding ways of working. This includes an effective assessment tool to measure pupils' progress in key stages 1 to 5. Leaders are focused on making sure that teaching is of the very best quality and that pupils achieve highly.

All groups of pupils across the school make excellent progress in all subjects from very low starting points. Pupils access the most appropriate provision, dependent on their needs and abilities. The most able Year 6 pupils transfer to the secondary special school within the federation, where they continue to secure high levels of challenge.

Teaching staff, therapists and health professionals provide a learning environment where pupils feel safe, secure and ready to learn. Pupils' mental and physical well-being is promoted very effectively. Protecting the safety and welfare of pupils is a core function of the school's work.

Pupils' behaviour is excellent. The post-16 provision is a more recent and worthy addition to the school. Students flourish academically and personally because teaching and additional support are outstanding.

The early years provision is good. It is not outstanding because there are not enough opportunities for children to develop their early literacy and mathematical skills. Assessments do not provide an accurate picture of the progress children make.

This prevents staff from deepening children's understanding and learning to secure outstanding progress in all areas of learning.

Information about this school

In January 2016, Turney School became part of a hard federation with Lansdowne Special School, which is also in Lambeth. The schools share a governing body and an executive headteacher.

Each has a head of school. Lansdowne Special School is subject to a separate inspection. In September 2015, the school opened a post-16 provision for students with complex learning difficulties up to the age of 19.

Pupils have autistic spectrum disorder or speech and language difficulties. Most pupils have other associated learning difficulties. All have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan.

Almost all pupils are eligible for the pupil premium funding. Four out of five pupils are boys. Pupils are from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, with half the pupils speaking English as an additional language.

There are currently nine Reception-aged children. The school uses one alternative provider, Roots and Shoots, in Lambeth. There have been a number of staffing appointments since the last inspection, including several new teachers, a head of school and assistant headteacher.

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