Turney Primary and Secondary Special School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils like coming to this school. This is evident in the relaxed and cheerful way that they enter in the morning and their positive engagement with learning throughout the day. Pupils enjoy their lessons.

They commit to learning and take pride in their work. All staff work together to make sure that pupils are safe and that they feel safe at school. Any unkind behaviour is dealt with quickly.

At times, some pupils need some extra help to manage their emotions and behaviour. This is provided in a calm and sensitive way. Pupils learn how to get on well with their friends and others around them.

The regular routine and familiar faces help pupils to stay calm so... that they can learn better in lessons. Pupils like their regular visits to the local area, including when they travel on the local buses. Pupils hardly ever miss school.

The school has high expectations. Pupils are expected to come to school every day, to do their best in lessons and to be kind to each other. Pupils meet these expectations and achieve well.

From early on, there is a sharp focus on getting pupils ready for life as independent and confident adults.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has ensured that there is an ambitious curriculum in place that meets the needs of all pupils. Leaders have constructed the curriculum so that pupils can access it at the right level for them.

It teaches them the essential communication and literacy skills they need to access the rest of the curriculum and to be able to have a fulfilling life. The curriculum has a positive impact on pupils' educational, social and emotional development. Pupils who are at the early stages of learning to read have regular lessons to help them build the phonics knowledge that they need.

Mathematics is taught in a systematic way, with each new piece of learning building on the one before. This helps pupils to develop skills and acquire knowledge in a logical order. The school has a systematic way to check that pupils are progressing through the curriculum.

The curriculum has had significant revision over the last year. Leaders have put in place a well-thought-out strategy to support teachers to implement the new curriculum. This includes regular visits to classrooms and tightly focused feedback to teachers on how to deliver the curriculum well.

Leaders are aware that, occasionally, the specific knowledge that pupils should learn is not as clear as it could be, and they are working on this.

Pupils learn a broad curriculum, which includes creative subjects such as art and music. The physical development curriculum helps pupils to keep active and healthy and to build positive habits for their future life, including healthy eating and exercise.

For each subject, teachers carry out regular checks on pupils' journey through the curriculum. The school is currently exploring and refining its approaches and is mindful of the implications for teachers' workload.

All pupils at the school have complex needs and autism.

The school uses information from pupils' education, health and care (EHC) plans to tailor its approach around their needs.Lessons are adapted sensitively to ensure that pupils can stay engaged in their learning and enjoy school. There are times when pupils might need movement breaks, or activities that help them to regulate their behaviour.

This is done in a sensitive and seamless way so that pupils can get back to their lessons as soon as possible. The school is calm and orderly. Staff know the needs of the pupils very well and they can quickly spot if a pupil needs extra help or support.

They are also alert to any unkind behaviour, and this is dealt with quickly. Pastoral support for pupils is a strength of the school.

The curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to learn about the difference between right and wrong and the different ways that people may live their lives, for example by learning about different cultures, religions and families.

Pupils learn about safe and healthy relationships and the changes that happen to them as they become adults. The curriculum includes learning how to stay safe, including how to use the internet safely.

In the early years, the curriculum prepares children well for the next stage of their education.

Activities enable children to explore the world around them and to develop their curiosity, concentration and enjoyment in learning. Children begin to learn how to manage their own behaviour and emotions and to develop important social, communication and language skills.

Students in the sixth form follow a curriculum that is focused on preparing them for adult life.

This includes learning about the world of work and important life skills such as travelling on public transport, shopping and cooking. Students learn how to keep themselves safe in the community and are well prepared for the next stage of their life when they leave the school.

Staff enjoy working here.

They work hard and are invested in the school. They find working with the pupils very rewarding. Overall, staff feel well supported.

They welcome the school's ongoing work to reduce and streamline their workload.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some aspects of the curriculum, the school is not clear enough about what it wants pupils to learn.

As a result, teachers do not have enough guidance about the most important knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember. The school needs to refine its curriculum to make more explicit what pupils should learn. It also needs to ensure that staff are supported to implement this effectively.

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