Highshore School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 February 2023

Parents and carers are very positive about this school. They describe it as a 'family'. They say that their children are achieving well, both academically and in their personal development. Highshore is a calm, happy and safe environment. Classrooms and corridors are full of colourful displays. Leaders make sure that therapy support for pupils is given the priority it needs. This includes through the provision of holiday activities and help for parents. Even the school lift offers the pupils that use it a sensory experience. Leaders have high expectations for pupils. They have created a school where everyone works together to make sure that pupils' confidence and ability to communicate and be independent flourish during their time at the school. Students in the sixth form benefit from college placements and/or external work experience opportunities that help prepare them well for adulthood and employment. Pupils are kept safe and are well looked after. They know that adults are there for them. They say that everyone is kind and respectful towards each other. As a result, pupils get on well together during lessons and at social times. Any incidents of poor behaviour or bullying are rare.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have reviewed their curriculum intent across the curriculum. Some of their curriculum thinking is not as precise and well sequenced across all subjects and pathways. As a result, sometimes teachers do not identify and give feedback to pupils on important subject knowledge they should be learning from their activities. Leaders should refine their curriculum thinking across all subjects and pathways. They should provide further training for staff in helping them to think about the purpose of their chosen learning activities.
• The support for some pupils who need to improve their reading fluency is not as well developed as it should be. This is because a few staff lack expertise in how to deliver the phonics curriculum. Sometimes, they do not promote pupils' phonics knowledge as well as they could. Leaders should ensure that all staff have a high level of expertise in the teaching of reading.

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