Linden Bridge School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 January 2024

Pupils' personal development is a particular strength of the school. Pupils learn important skills which ensure that they are exceptionally well prepared for leading as independent a life as possible in the future. This may mean developing the confidence to work in the classroom, learning about independent personal care, or feeling able to join other pupils for lunch in the dining hall. The oldest pupils are a credit to the school and illustrate the school's success in preparing them for the next step in their education, training or employment. During the inspection, they willingly accepted visitors without fuss, carrying on with what they were doing sensibly and maturely, and greeting them with an occasional smile or a 'high five'. Staff develop strong relationships with their pupils, who feel valued and secure as a result. They told inspectors that they feel comfortable asking for help. One said: 'Yes, I feel safe, I always have.' Pupils behave well most of the time and staff are on hand to help if anyone becomes anxious or frustrated. They learn to recognise personal success and grow in self-esteem and confidence. During the inspection, one proudly announced: 'I've done good work this morning!'

What the school should improve

• The curriculum is not as well developed in some subjects as it is in reading, writing and mathematics. This means that pupils do not always achieve as well as they could in these subjects. The school should continue with work to ensure a well-designed and securely established curriculum is in place in all subjects and phases.

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