Elms School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 March 2023

Leaders and staff have established a positive and purposeful atmosphere in the school. The school day starts with breakfast, an opportunity to catch up with friends and teachers and physical activities for those who need to move around after their journey to school. This helps pupils to settle and sets the tone for the rest of the day. Pupils understand that they are in school to learn. They want to do well, and they work hard. Some pupils find it hard to meet new people. However, all those who spoke with inspectors did so sensibly, despite some of the challenges they face. Staff build strong and trusting relationships with their pupils. Pupils know that they can rely on them to keep them safe, and they feel that adults are fair. They know how they are expected to behave, and most follow the rules. However, some pupils struggle to behave well and have found recent changes in staff particularly unsettling. Adults provide skilful support when this is the case. Recent improvements in behaviour management procedures are helping too. For example, pupils told inspectors that they like some of the new things in school, such as the sensory rooms, which help them to feel calm and secure.

What the school should improve

• Some of the older pupils are behind where they should be in their reading. The new programme chosen to support them is not yet fully in place. Leaders should implement plans to deliver this programme.
• Recent improvements in systems to support pupils' behaviour and well-being are not yet fully in place. This means that some pupils are not as well supported in managing their feelings and behaviour as others. Leaders should make sure that improvements in behaviour management procedures are fully established and used consistently well.

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