Lansdowne School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 February 2026

Pupils happily arrive to a calm and welcoming school. They feel safe because routines are clear and staff know them well. Adults model respectful behaviour, and pupils follow their example. When pupils feel worried or upset, staff use effective strategies to help them recognise their feelings. Staff then support pupils to manage these feelings with growing independence. Pupils feel that they belong. They make friends, look after each other and enjoy being part of a warm and inclusive community. Bullying is very rare, and pupils trust adults to help them deal with issues quickly. Attendance is positive and reflects how much pupils want to be at school each day. Pupils enjoy learning, including the practical lessons that help them to remember new ideas. Pupils take part confidently in most lessons because teachers meet their needs well. Pupils achieve well overall. Their work in lessons and in books, as well as the qualifications they obtain, demonstrate their progress through the curriculum. This includes in their language development, reading, writing and mathematics. The school environment is well designed to support pupils' needs and development. For example, pupils choose outdoor activities that meet their sensory needs, such as bikes, trikes, music areas and quiet spaces. These activities also help them to build strength, balance and coordination. Pupils learn how to stay safe online and in the community. They practise real-life skills through road-safety sessions, shopping, work experience and outdoor learning. These experiences help to build their independence. Pupils also benefit from a range of therapeutic support, including working with speech and language professionals and professionals from occupational health and the education psychology service. Therapeutic provision in art, music and drama further enhances the support that pupils receive. Students in the post-16 provision continue to grow in confidence through, for example, independent travel training, money management lessons and work placements that match their interests and varied starting points. Pupils receive clear careers guidance and meet people from different workplaces. As a result, pupils are increasingly prepared for the next stage in their lives.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should embed the work started on curriculum and teaching to ensure full consistency in staff's expertise in using the most effective strategies that help pupils overcome their barriers to learning.
• Leaders should ensure that, across all subjects, learning activities consistently provide the opportunities and challenge necessary to enable pupils to access the curriculum fully and make secure progress.

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