Woodlawn School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 May 2024

Pupils flourish at Woodlawn School. Staff show great care for all pupils. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff liaise with specialist therapists to design bespoke therapeutic programmes for individual pupils. These activities are built into the school day. The frequency of the provision supports pupils in developing their movement and communication skills well. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Strong relationships between staff and pupils secure highly positive attitudes towards learning and each other. Pupils develop reliable friendships. They are supportive and respectful of their peers. Pupils enjoy the social occasions organised by the school. Highlights for pupils include the residential visit to Kielder and the Friday Café. The school has high expectations for all pupils. The curriculum is ambitious, purposeful, and well matched to the needs of pupils. Staff are successful in preparing pupils for their next steps in education, training, or employment. Many pupils achieve several recognised qualifications. They are supported by a high-quality careers programme. This includes work experience and making connections with local employers. Pupils have many opportunities to showcase their talents within the region. For example, singing at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music and displaying artwork in the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

What the school should improve

• Although the culture of safeguarding means that pupils are kept safe, in a few instances, the administration of safeguarding arrangements lacks appropriate rigour and oversight. The school needs to ensure that those responsible for carrying out and overseeing the administration of safeguarding understand and fulfil their roles effectively. The school should consider further training for those who check that administrative processes fully support its work to maintain a culture of safeguarding.
• Strategies to improve attendance are not working as well as they should for students in the sixth form. As a result, some students miss extended periods of learning and opportunities to develop socially. The school should continue to work closely with students, parents, carers, and outside agencies to adopt further strategies to reduce persistent absence and low attendance.

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