The Helix Education Centre

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 March 2025

Pupils join the school having had difficulties in managing their behaviour and emotions in previous settings. Nevertheless, pupils settle quickly. This is because warm and nurturing relationships exist between pupils and staff at this school. Staff have high expectations for behaviour and learning. They provide pupils with the time, space and skills to sort out any issues they may have. Pupils respond by doing their best to meet the school's high expectations of them. For example, each morning, pupils greet staff respectfully. They are ready for the security checks and ready to hand in their phone. The school's welcoming approach helps to establish clear routines and expectations for pupils. Pupils know that staff will quickly resolve any fallings-out or incidents of bullying. Most pupils behave well throughout the school day. Pupils say that they feel safe in school. While some pupils find managing their behaviour challenging, behaviour in lessons does not typically distract others from their learning. Any small behaviour outbursts are quickly dealt with. Parents and carers are happy with their child's progress and like the way the curriculum is adapted to suit pupils' needs. Parents are full of praise for the school and its leadership. They told inspectors, 'Staff are always there when you need them.' This empathetic approach has built a trust between home and school that some parents have never experienced before.

What the school should improve

• Despite considerable work to improve attendance, a small number of pupils are persistently absent and overall absence remains high. This means that some pupils do not benefit as often as they should from the good quality of education that the school provides. The school should ensure that all of the strategies it uses to improve attendance enable more pupils to improve their attendance.
• Some learning activities are not closely matched to pupils' needs. Pupils find them too hard or too easy. This means that sometimes pupils do not receive the high quality of education that leaders intend. The school should ensure that all staff have sufficient skills and experience to meet leaders' ambitions for the delivery of the curriculum.

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