Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Leaders have created a school where the individual pupil is at the heart of everything.

Staff know and understand the needs of every pupil. They work closely with parents and carers to plan targets that support the holistic development of pupils. Consequently, pupils are thriving and make exceptional progress.

The school mission statement: 'we learn, we overcome challenges, we support each other and achieve our potential', is what this school does extremely well. Staff are skilled in planning activities that meet pupils' individual learning and personal needs. Classroom environments reflect the special educational needs and/or dis...abilities (SEND) of each group.

This personalisation is the key that supports every pupil to thrive. Equality of opportunity is central. Leaders want all pupils to benefit from a wide range of subjects, topics and learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.

Communication and life skills are also pivotal. Pupils in this school have a voice. Staff unlock barriers to learning and find a method for pupils to communicate their needs.

Pupils learn to make choices and understand that they have rights and responsibilities. Governors know the school well. They speak with confidence and clarity about the school's strengths and their ambitions for the future.

Children in the early years provision make outstanding progress from very low starting points. Leaders have created a warm, welcoming, happy and secure environment where pupils learn and develop through play. Staff see behaviour as a means of communication.

They are skilled at identifying what a pupil may be communicating through their behaviour. A range of interventions are successful in meeting the individual needs of pupils so that barriers to learning are removed. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly happy with and supportive of the school.

There were many positive comments and one summarised the views of many others in saying: 'There is a real open-door policy for home-to-school communication. From the headteacher to the teaching assistants, everyone has a real understanding of the individual child. My child is happy to go to school every day and I could not feel more confident that he is receiving the very best support and education.

We are proud to be part of the Ashgate family.' The school offers a valued outreach service which has the capacity to expand.

Information about this school

All pupils have an EHC plan.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. Most pupils are of White British heritage. A small proportion speak English as an additional language.

There are more boys than girls on roll. The school does not make use of any alternative provision. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.