Marjory Kinnon School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 December 2022

Leaders strive to provide pupils with a high-quality education, therapies and enrichment experiences. They are adept at making timely amendments to staffing and the curriculum to make sure that pupils' additional needs are met successfully. Pupils gain the social and academic skills that they need to lead meaningful, independent adult lives. Pupils are safe and happy here. This is because they know that staff care for them and will always help them if they have worries. From Reception onwards, children and older pupils behave well. Staff are experts in helping pupils to calm down if they get overwhelmed. Often, staff anticipate that a pupil may be getting anxious and about to struggle with their behaviour. They step in early to help pupils to manage their feelings, for instance by taking them out for a short movement break. When pupils have disagreements or should there be bullying, staff deal with concerns effectively. They support the pupils to understand their behaviour and the impact it has on others. This helps the pupils involved to reconcile. Pupils take part in an extensive and well-planned range of enrichment activities. For example, they love using their art, instrumental, singing and drama skills to put on theatrical presentations. The school's 'village' helps pupils to gain the experience, social communication skills and confidence to go shopping independently.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, curriculum thinking is not fully developed across the phases of the school. As a result, pupils do not deepen their knowledge and learn as successfully as they could in those subjects. Leaders should ensure that, in all subjects, they identify the key knowledge that they want pupils to know and remember, and plan how that builds year on year from Reception to Year 11.

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