Castledon School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at this highly successful school. Staff prepare pupils exceptionally well for life beyond the school. This is because staff have a thorough understanding of pupils' individual needs and aspirations.

Staff have very high expectations of what pupils and students can do and achieve. Pupils live up to these expectations because staff nurture, help and guide pupils to success.

In class, pupils focus on their learning.

Pupils get the right help and behaviour support at the right time. Whether it is staff standing back as pupils work independently or effective one-to-one guidance, expert staff know what to do to get the most out of pupils. If a pupil... struggles, adults get them quickly back on track.

Pupils show high levels of respect to adults and each other. Their behaviour is exemplary. They play well together on the outdoor equipment or socialise in the sixth-form common room.

The school carefully helps pupils build their confidence and independence.

There is an exceptional array of well-considered activities and experiences that complement school life. From residentials, to trips abroad and driving lessons, each activity is meticulously planned and takes pupils beyond their day-to-day lives.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum is very well designed. It is highly ambitious for all pupils. The school continually refines and evaluates the curriculum to ensure that it works for the changing needs of pupils.

In the sixth form, students access a curriculum that combines suitable, relevant academic subjects with other appropriate opportunities to prepare students for adulthood. This includes raising aspirations through relevant work experience with a range of employers or building effective social skills in the school's Aspire Café. Pupils and students in the sixth form are exceptionally well prepared for life beyond the school.

The school has thought carefully about the most important knowledge pupils need to know. Staff break down learning into helpful chunks so that pupils have the necessary small steps to help them succeed. Staff expertly check what pupils know and understand.

They help and guide pupils to build confidence in themselves and in what they can achieve. Consequently, pupils achieve highly from their varied and often complex starting points.

Pupils enjoy reading because books are central to the school's work.

Staff regularly share books or sensory stories with pupils. They carefully track the books pupils read to introduce new vocabulary or give pupils extra help if they need it. Well-trained staff ably support pupils to build their reading, word and communication knowledge.

Staff work closely with pupils and their parents and carers to thoroughly understand pupils' needs and what help and support they might need. Staff support pupils' behaviour exceptionally well, aided by appropriate guidance and intervention from the school's therapy teams. Staff know and use very effective strategies to help pupils manage their behaviour.

The school's culture is incredibly positive. Pupils treat each other with kindness and respect. They cheer on and celebrate each other's successes.

Older students are excellent role models for younger pupils.

Effectively preparing pupils for their next steps is the backbone of school life. An outstanding careers and employability programme is integrated seamlessly into the curriculum.

The school thinks carefully about what they want students in the sixth form to be able to do. The programme raises aspirations, builds on pupils' interests and helps them to be successful with work or further study when they leave the school. For example, students, learn to manage their own finances, use transport or drive a car so many can live an independent life.

The programme has a profoundly positive effect on pupils' lives and aspirations.

A rich range of meaningful experiences complement the exceptionally well-planned personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum. For instance, pupils learn about positive relationships and social interactions.

This learning is then reinforced and brought to life through highly purposeful activities, such as running community events in their school café. Trips abroad, visits to museums or the local nature reserve make learning memorable and meaningful. The school's approach to pupils' personal development is exceptional.

Staff learning and training is central to the success of the school. The school ensures that all staff have effective training to fulfil their roles. This includes implementing the curriculum or supporting pupils with their needs and behaviour.

Leaders, ably supported by governors and the trust, are unrelenting in their drive to improve the school. A palpable sense of community ensures that pupils' 'belonging, opportunity and achievement' are at the heart of the decisions the school takes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.