Castledon School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leadership is aspirational and outstanding and has enabled the school to successfully build on excellent practice from previous years. Leaders ensure that pupils' welfare is paramount.

Staff provide outstanding support because of their detailed understanding of pupils' often complex needs. Pupils develop strong personal, social and emotional skills that help them to become confident and enthusiastic learners. Leaders have ensured that opportunities for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are woven successfully throughout the curriculum.

Pupils develop as confident individuals. They talk maturely about life in modern ...Britain, diversity, equality and current affairs. Leaders have carefully designed a curriculum to successfully meet the needs of the pupils.

Leaders consult with parents, carers and pupils to adapt learning to meet pupils' ever-changing needs. The highly effective leaders of the 16 to 19 provision ensure that students access a range of valuable experiences that help them become more independent, improve their life chances and prepare them for their next stage. All staff contribute to the strong safeguarding culture.

They are acutely aware of pupils' circumstances and provide support swiftly. Pupils receive comprehensive advice and guidance on how to keep safe. Pupils say that they feel safe and that they can talk to an adult in the school if they have worries or concerns.

Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. They are very polite and respectful to each other and to adults. They socialise well at breaktimes and develop strong friendships.

Most teachers plan work to successfully meet pupils' individual targets. Pupils make strong progress over time. Leaders check what pupils know and can do when they first start at the school.

Leaders monitor pupils' progress against their aspirational targets. Most pupils are on course to meet their personal learning intentions. Leaders are successfully equipping new staff with the specialist skills required to match the consistently high standards in teaching, learning and assessment seen elsewhere.

While staff have had some success in engaging parents in their child's development and learning, they recognise that there is still more to do and they have firm plans in place to develop this aspect of their work further.

Information about this school

Castledon is a single academy trust special school for pupils aged five to 19 years. In 2017, the school expanded its provision to include a sixth-form college.

The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium is almost twice the national average. All pupils have an EHC plan. The majority of pupils have severe learning difficulties or moderate learning difficulties.

Several pupils are also on the autistic spectrum and some pupils have behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. Some pupils have complex medical needs. The school uses Rally Sport Engineering Academy, Circles Farm and Bromfords School for alternative provision.