Avalon School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 July 2023

Pupils at Avalon School are known and celebrated as individuals. They are treated with sensitivity and care by staff. Staff know pupils and their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. Parents value this. Pupils are challenged to be their best. They demonstrate tolerance and respect for each other's needs and differences. Pupils know how to behave well. They are taught how to recognise success in others as well as themselves. Pupils say they have friends in school because people are kind. Pupils feel safe in school and know what to do if they have a worry. Pupils are empowered to express their likes and dislikes successfully. The school's nurture breakfast supports and celebrates pupils' personal development well. It provides a calm and purposeful start to the day. Pupils enjoy school and like to learn. They value the wide range of enrichment experiences, such as sensory rugby and the Duke of Edinburgh's award. Opportunities for pupils to rehearse important life skills are carefully planned. For example, pupils bake for the tuck shop, ride and fix bicycles and grow food in the school's garden. Sixth-form students recognise how the school's 'learning for life' curriculum helps them to prepare for adulthood.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum is new. Staff do not have secure subject knowledge across some subject curriculums. Consequently, learning activities do not always provide pupils with opportunities to secure and deepen their knowledge sufficiently well. Leaders need to support staff to improve their subject knowledge in these subjects to ensure pupils know more, can do more and remember more over time.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)