Kite Ridge School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 March 2025

Pupils are known and expertly cared for at this school. Pupils join here having been excluded from other schools for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They have highly complex sensory, communication and interaction needs, as well as often being at the earliest stages of cognitive development. Most come here unable to work with other pupils or adults. However, due to the specialist support they receive, they build positive relationships with the staff who help them. They trust that their adults will keep them safe. Due to this, pupils begin to develop the capacity to work with others. During social times, pupils are increasingly able to manage being outside or in the lunch hall with their peers. They use their individual methods of communication well to voice their needs and wants, and staff respond to these rapidly. Instances of distress do happen because of pupils' sensory processing needs. However, effective implementation of behaviour support plans means that adults spot signs of distress early and provide sensitive and effective support. This is an ambitious provision. Pupils benefit from the personalised curriculum they receive. They engage well with their activities and often meet the high expectations that staff have for what they will achieve.

What the school should improve

• There has not been secure leadership oversight of some school systems and procedures. Consequently, a number of policies require review, and safeguarding records need to be sharpened. Governors and school leaders need to be precise in their strategic oversight and monitoring of these areas.
• Some parts of the curriculum are newly in place and training in these areas is still being rolled out. This means some learning mentors do not have a secure understanding of the formal aspects of the curriculum. The school should ensure that all staff receive training that will give them the knowledge needed to support teaching effectively and to help pupils build their knowledge over time.

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