Chesnut Lodge Special School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 April 2023

Pupils arrive at school in the morning with big happy smiles that last all day. They love their school, the friends they make and the fun learning activities they get to enjoy. Pupils told inspectors that staff take good care of them. They said that they feel safe and secure in school. This is a caring and welcoming school where every pupil, no matter what their needs, is valued. Staff ensure that all pupils take a full part in school life. Pupils enjoy learning. They achieve well and often exceed staff's high expectations. Pupils are proud of their school. They have a voice and have influenced many improvements in school. For example, pupils renamed their classes after influential people with disabilities. They have been inspired by these successful people. It has raised their aspirations for their own future achievements. The school council helped to design the sensory garden and the new accessible playground. Both of these facilities are appreciated by all pupils. The 'Rights Club' ambassadors play a key role in ensuring that rights, responsibilities and respect are at the heart of school life. Pupils behave well. They know how to be good friends. However, they also know that sometimes pupils can fall out. When this happens, staff help pupils to understand the impact of their words and actions. Leaders ensure that any bullying is dealt with well.

What the school should improve

• Governors have relied too heavily on the local authority to make sure that statutory policies are up to date. While this has not had a detrimental impact on pupils, there is the potential for key statutory information and updates to be missed. Governors should take full responsibility for statutory policies to ensure they reflect government guidelines.

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