Rutherford School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 September 2025

The school creates an environment where learners' abilities are encouraged to shine. Staff provide learners with the support that they need and 'space to thrive'. Learners are encouraged and motivated to try their best. Learners engage well with staff. Relationships are positive and respectful. Staff know how to keep learners safe. They use individual risk assessments to accurately identify and address risks to learners. The school has high ambitions for learners. Staff, including highly skilled specialists and therapists, have developed a purposeful curriculum. They ensure that long- and short-term targets are appropriately aligned to learners' individual education, health and care (EHC) plans. Learners achieve well from their starting points. Learners benefit greatly from staff, who know them extremely well. Staff act upon the nuances of learners' non-verbal communication to skilfully redirect their interest. This enables learners to develop strategies to remain focused on their learning experiences. As a result, learners maintain good behaviour in and around the school. Preparation for adulthood is threaded well through the curriculum. Staff provide meaningful work experience opportunities that are tailored to students' abilities. For instance, working at local pubs, foodbanks and within the school setting. Learners make a positive contribution to the community.

What the school should improve

• Some aspects of the school's work to improve the quality of teaching and learning is at an early stage of implementation. This means that there are some pockets of inconsistency in the school's approach. This hinders the depth to which some learners learn. The school should support staff to build consistency in the delivery of these curriculums so that learners' learning is maximised.

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