Rachel Madocks School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 February 2023

Rachel Madocks School is a place for safe and joyful learning. Across the whole school, all pupils follow an appropriate curriculum relevant to their needs. Pupils are taught by well- trained teachers and support staff. They care about pupils' progress and meeting their individual special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an education, health and care plan (EHC plan). Communication is at the heart of everything the school does. Staff place huge importance on helping pupils to communicate well. They help pupils to gain the knowledge and skills that they will need for their lives ahead. The school is well resourced with a range of specialist facilities and sensory interventions to support pupils, including access to the large swimming pool. Pupils' behaviour is excellent. Staff skilfully support pupils, recognising that their behaviour is a form of communication. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. If a pupil's behaviour slips, staff use personalised strategies to help them stay calm. Staff always help pupils to understand their feelings. Bullying is rare. If there is any, staff deal with it quickly and effectively.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not yet linked the academic curriculum with personal development opportunities. This means that pupils do not develop some of their learning as quickly as they could. Leaders need to ensure that these two elements are more closely aligned and linked together.

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