Brooke School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 March 2025

Brooke School has improved significantly. The school has sharply focused on providing an ambitious curriculum for all pupils across the school. Through this period of change, the school has remained determined to raise the expectations for what pupils can achieve. The quality of education now supports the needs of pupils here. As a result, pupils' achievements have improved. The school is calm, and most pupils are settled. A revised approach to supporting pupils' behaviour has brought about positive change. Staff understand why pupils behave as they do. Staff and pupils have positive and caring relationships. Pupils are respectful and tolerant of others. On the rare occasion when unkind behaviour occurs, this is dealt with quickly by staff. Consequently, pupils behave well throughout school. Pupils now benefit from strong links with the community and local industries. Visitors talk to pupils about the world of work in the local area. This raises pupils' aspirations. In addition, the school has set up a living flat. Students in the sixth form experience what it is like to live there. This prepares students well for independent living in a home. All this supports the school's vision for 'independent, happy, safe' pupils.

What the school should improve

• Some curriculum areas have been implemented more recently than others. This means that the school does not yet know the impact of the new curriculum areas on pupils' learning over time. The school should continue their plans to embed the new curriculum and ensure that it has the desired impact on pupils' knowledge.
• At times, staff do not always consistently follow the agreed expectations for supporting pupils' learning needs in lessons. This includes the agreed communication aids and strategies. This slows down some pupils' learning. The school should ensure that all staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to consistently implement the communication strategies and follow the agreed expectations to support pupils' learning in lessons.
• In the early years, activities do not always accurately match the needs of some children. Subsequently, some children are unsettled during the day because their needs are not well understood. The school should ensure that staff have the necessary skills to plan activities accurately to help meet the needs of all children.

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