Palmerston School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 March 2025

Pupils and the students in the sixth form are greeted warmly every morning by staff. Through exceptionally strong and trusting relationships, pupils relish learning across a wide range of subjects. They are bursting with excitement for the day ahead. They settle well into their classrooms. Through their actions or words, they show that they are happy in school. In part, this is because they trust the adults to look after them. Mutual respect between pupils and staff permeates through the entire school. The school has soaring aspirations for pupils' achievement. It expects pupils to achieve everything that they are capable of. The school uses the information and targets from pupils' education, health and care (EHC) plans and weaves these into an ambitious curriculum with skill and precision. This results in pupils making strong progress from their individual starting points. Staff manage pupils' behaviour well. They ensure that pupils consistently follow the school's rules and routines. This means that pupils typically learn in a calm environment. Pupils' behaviour does not usually interrupt other pupils' learning. Pupils benefit from many opportunities to broaden their horizons beyond the school. This really helps them to be prepared for life after they leave Palmerston. Pupils enjoy opportunities to help in the community, learn how to travel independently using public transport or take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme.

What the school should improve

• The school does not consistently analyse the information that it holds about pupils' behaviour. This means that it is not able to fully identify any patterns or trends in how pupils behave. The school should strengthen this aspect of its strategic oversight.

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