Woodlands School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher, very ably supported by staff and the governing body, has a highly ambitious vision for the future of the school. Since her appointment there has been a strong and successful focus on raising achievement through high quality training and monitoring. Pupils' achievement has improved and the vast majority now achieve outstandingly well.

Their progress in literacy and in numeracy is excellent. Pupils in the Early Years Foundation Stage achieve extremely well and enjoy their time at school. Pupils in Year 11 and those in the sixth form attain a wide range of qualifications so that they are very well prepared for their futures.<...br/>
Much of the teaching is outstanding and is never less than good. High quality individual plans ensure that each pupil understands what is expected, enabling them to complete their tasks quickly so that they make rapid and sustained progress. Improvement in the use of communication aids has resulted in all pupils having a means to make choices and have a voice.

Pupils' behaviour is exceptional in and around the school. High quality individual support ensures that all pupils are extremely well supported. Pupils feel safe at school.

Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and very pleased with their children's education. The exceptionally wide range of rich learning opportunities, subjects and topics engage pupils extremely well, and contributes to their strong spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders have built on the good outcomes from the previous inspection and are rigorous about improving and maintaining high quality teaching.

Training for all staff is thorough, and close links with local and other special schools have forged very effective partnerships. Governors have improved their monitoring roles since the last inspection, and now provide excellent support and challenge to leaders. They ensure that all pupils, including those who are eligible for additional government funding, achieve equally as well as other pupils.

The overall effectiveness of the sixth form is outstanding.

Information about this school

The school caters for pupils with severe or profound learning difficulties from across Surrey. Almost all pupils have a statement of special educational needs.

A very few are on assessment places and are awaiting a statement. About a quarter of pupils have additional visual, hearing or multi-sensory impairments, or have a diagnosis of autism. Pupils join the school at different times, not just in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is very low, and there are a very few pupils new to speaking English. There are more boys than girls.

The proportion of pupils for whom the school receives the additional government funding, known as the pupil premium, is above average. This funding is for pupils who are eligible for free school meals and those in the care of the local authority. The school receives primary school sports funding for its primary aged pupils.

Additional funding is also received to help those in Year 7 catch up. Sixth form pupils attend the nearby North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) to undertake work-related courses and training. The school does not enter pupils early for examinations.