New Avenue School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 July 2025

Pupils say they love coming to this school because the staff really care and understand them. Friendly and approachable staff understand pupils' social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs well. They create a calm and welcoming environment. This makes pupils feel safe. There are warm, trusting relationships between staff and pupils. Staff use their knowledge of pupils' abilities and interests to create an ambitious curriculum that is adapted well for each pupil. This engages pupils, and they quickly make gains in their academic learning. Pupils learn to engage positively with the outside world. They are encouraged to pursue their personal passions. Regular trips into the community help build pupils' confidence and independence extremely well. Pupils benefit from ample opportunities to learn about themselves and how to interact with others positively. Consequently, behaviour is excellent. Pupils are very friendly with each other and readily celebrate each other's successes. Several parents and carers commented on the positive difference the school has made to their child. One summed up the views of many: 'This is a place where children are inspired to learn, supported to succeed and empowered to become kind, capable individuals.'

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that pupils have enough opportunity to practise their spelling and handwriting skills. As a result, pupils do not spell and write as accurately and fluently as they could. The school should ensure that pupils are well supported to improve their spelling and handwriting across the whole curriculum.
• The school operates several recording systems. This means that it cannot analyse trends over time as efficiently as it might. The proprietor should accelerate the steps that it is already taking to streamline these systems so that it has a fully accurate oversight of its provision.

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