Coxlease School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Pupils thrive at this friendly and welcoming school. They have often struggled at school in the past. The story here is different. Strong relationships with staff, clear routines and relentlessly high expectations help pupils feel happy and safe. Pupils enjoy and benefit highly from the school's positive atmosphere of learning. Pupils like to attend school. They arrive each morning with a spring in their step ready to learn. Maggie, the school's therapy dog, is on hand to help pupils settle into the morning routines quickly. Echoing the sentiments of many pupils, one said to the lead inspector, 'I love this school.' The curriculum is well matched to pupils' needs. Staff carefully check what pupils know and can do when pupils first join the school. Education, therapy and pastoral care all come together to provide a high-quality package of support for pupils. As a result, pupils have highly positive attitudes towards learning and behave exceptionally well. The personal development programme prepares pupils for adulthood remarkably well. The opportunities for pupils are extensive. A comprehensive careers programme and a focus on life skills help pupils become well-rounded individuals, who are ready to take their place in the world.

What the school should improve

• On occasion, the curriculum is not implemented effectively. As a result, pupils sometimes find learning tasks too difficult. This means that their knowledge is not as secure as it could be. The proprietor should ensure that staff have the skills they need to adapt the curriculum to meet pupils' needs.

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