Fox Hollies School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2026

Pupils at Fox Hollies are part of a vibrant, caring special school in which staff know and understand pupils' special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) very well. Pupils' needs are central to everything leaders and staff do and they work tirelessly to support them. Relationships across school are warm and welcoming, creating a learning environment in which pupils are safe, valued and almost always smiling. Pupils manage their behaviour and regulate their emotions well because staff support them consistently and skilfully in lessons, at transition times and throughout other times of the day. Pupils behave calmly and benefit from clear, embedded routines and expectations that they understand. Pupils, including those who are pre-verbal, use effective communication strategies to express their thoughts, feelings and worries. They show confidence in approaching staff, who respond quickly and deal with concerns effectively. As a result, instances of poor behaviour, including bullying, are rare. Pupils are consistently encouraged to be as independent as possible. They benefit by becoming more confident in their own abilities, more resilient to setbacks and less reliant on adult support. This is helping them to prepare for their next steps of education and in the wider world. The curriculum has been designed to provide the necessary learning and skills pupils need to prepare them for their future learning and for life beyond school. Pupils engage well in lessons because staff understand their needs and interests and so make learning purposeful and motivating. This careful, personalised approach helps pupils to enjoy learning and they throw themselves into activities with gusto. They achieve well from their starting points because staff carefully structure lessons, planning small steps in learning that build securely over time. This school is a hive of activity in which pupils learn, laugh and thrive.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that all staff apply an agreed approach to teaching foundational skills across all classes and pathways so that pupils make consistent progress in these areas, including in early writing.

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