Springwell Alternative Academy Lincoln

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 July 2022

Pupils say they feel safe. Staff are very caring and supportive. Parents and carers who responded to the survey appreciate the help staff give to their children. Staff understand pupils' individual needs well. Most pupils say that staff are helping them to improve their behaviour and that 'things are better here compared to my last school'. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive. There are lots of adults available to support pupils at all times. Pupils know staff will look after them and help them engage with learning. One pupil said, 'They do the things that help us trust them.' Staff are very aware of the difficulties pupils experience. They offer a nurturing approach to help pupils understand themselves. Leaders focus on the things that will have the greatest impact in the limited time pupils attend the school. They ensure that the curriculum begins to fill any gaps in pupils' knowledge. They are passionate that all pupils should be able to read and develop a love for reading. Staff offer safe spaces and time for pupils to regulate their behaviour. For most pupils, this results in improvements in their behaviour and attendance. Most pupils say that if bullying happens, staff will deal with it quickly and effectively.

What the school should improve

• Teachers have a good knowledge of individual pupils and the social, emotional and mental health needs they may have. However, leaders do not currently have a clear and precise overview of how well pupils are improving in their learning and in how they manage their behaviours. As a result, leaders are unable to be certain that the most appropriate learning and behavioural targets are set to support all pupils. Leaders need to ensure that they have a precise understanding of how pupils are demonstrably improving in their learning and their behaviour, so that they can check that pupils receive the precise, targeted support they need.
• Most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities SEND who have social, emotional and mental health needs are well supported at the school. However, some pupils with additional needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, are not as well supported as they could be. Staff do not receive precise enough information about these pupils to know how to meet their needs. Leaders' review of these pupils' progress does not always include how well they are progressing against any targets that relate to their additional needs. Leaders should ensure that all staff understand the additional needs of all pupils thoroughly, so that staff are able to provide precise support to meet these needs.

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