Woodlands School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 February 2023

Woodlands School is a warm, welcoming place where pupils thrive. Leaders and staff share a determination to give every pupil a voice. Promoting and developing pupils' communication skills and independence are at the heart of all the school does. Adults care for pupils with dignity and respect. Pupils get the support they need to become more independent in their decision-making. The high expectations staff have for every pupil ensure that they achieve their goals. Parents and carers told inspectors how their children had achieved far more than they could ever have hoped for. Pupils feel valued and safe. Relationships between staff and pupils are particularly strong. Pupils throughout the school get along well with one another. They are kind and friendly. Pupils generally behave well. Staff support pupils who find it hard to regulate their emotions effectively. Bullying is rare. If it were to happen, pupils are confident that adults would deal with it quickly. Staff encourage children from early years through to students in the sixth form to participate in activities beyond the school gates. For example, the school runs 'Woodfest', an annual arts and music festival. This brings together pupils' families, other schools and the wider community in a celebration of creativity.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the specialist knowledge of staff is not sufficiently strong. As a result, some pupils do not progress as well as they could through the curriculum. Leaders should ensure that staff have the subject expertise needed to ensure that pupils know more and remember more in each subject.

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