St Francis Special School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 June 2023

Leaders and staff have created a happy and nurturing environment. Pupils arrive at school to a warm welcome and this helps everyone to start the day with a cheerful outlook. Pupils have extremely strong relationships with staff. This is because staff know the pupils exceptionally well. Parents are appreciative of the care their children receive from the caring staff. Pupils enjoy being with their friends at breaktime. Staff support pupils to use their preferred form of communication to choose from a range of play activities. Some enjoy relaxing in the immersive room, while others join in with creative activities in the outdoor classroom or have fun with bubbles. Some pupils have been learning to ride bicycles. They join in with a fun song to help them remember to wear a helmet. This keeps them safe as they ride around the track in the playground. Leaders and staff share high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Predictable daily routines are well established, and this creates a sense of security and safety. Pupils are taught to express and understand their emotions. This helps them to make positive choices and regulate their behaviour independently. Skilled staff deliver sensitive support to individual pupils who need additional help to manage their behaviour.

What the school should improve

• In some instances, opportunities to promote pupils' communication are missed. This sometimes limits pupils' full and independent involvement in learning. Leaders should ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge and expertise to support and facilitate pupils' communication at all times.
• In some lessons, the activities provided do not help all pupils achieve the intended learning outcomes. There are some missed opportunities to learn, practise and build knowledge and skills over time. As a result, pupils do not always secure the intended learning. Leaders should ensure that all adults have the necessary expertise they need to prioritise the right activities and approaches, so that all pupils achieve the intended outcomes.

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