Woodley School and College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 March 2023

Leaders have high aspirations for pupils. They want pupils to communicate well, to be independent and to achieve. Leaders have redeveloped the curriculum. This is to ensure that it meets pupils' special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of pupils. This includes students in the sixth form. All pupils follow a learning pathway that takes account of their individual SEND. They learn life skills to prepare for adult life. Leaders place great emphasis on developing pupils' reading skills. They have prioritised phonics for pupils who need support to improve their reading. Most pupils engage well with reading. The school is well resourced with specialist staff and equipment. All pupils can access a range of therapeutic and sensory resources. There is a well-used sensory gym with trampoline therapy and ball pool. Leaders have designed each area of the school site for specific purposes. Pupils use these dedicated areas of the school purposefully. Each area is matched to support pupils' academic needs and specific SEND. Most pupils feel happy at school. Relationships between staff and pupils are secure. They are built on respect. Leaders are further developing behaviour management systems. Staff proactively manage pupils' behaviour. They model the behaviour they expect of pupils. They teach pupils good manners. Pupils engage with lessons positively. Pupils say that bullying does not happen. They know that staff would support them if they needed help.

What the school should improve

• Leaders are embedding a proactive behaviour management system across the school. Leaders' monitoring indicates that it has a beneficial impact for staff in the delivery of the curriculum. However, they have yet to see a wider impact on pupils' learning outcomes. Leaders should further develop staff's knowledge and skills to support pupils to maximise learning opportunities in order to ensure that this raises outcomes for all pupils.
• Pupils experience opportunities to develop independence and life skills as they progress through school. This is particularly evident in the sixth form. However, more can be done to prepare pupils for adult life. Leaders should further develop the wider curriculum to ensure that pupils are well prepared for adulthood with a rich set of experiences and skills that enable them to be active members of the community.

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