Northcott School and Sixth Form College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Northcott School and Sixth Form College is a place where pupils flourish.

The highly-ambitious curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that all pupils develop important knowledge, regardless of their starting points. Staff are passionate about providing the very best education for pupils.

From the school's youngest pupils in 'Little Blossoms', to those in the sixth form, there is no ceiling to the school's high expectations for what pupils can achieve.

Pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve highly.

Pupils have a strong sense of belonging at this inclusive school. Pupils enjoy exceptionally strong rel...ationships with adults, who know them very well.

This helps pupils feel valued, happy and safe. Pupils are respectful of others, and they behave extremely well.

Regardless of age, the focus on personal development runs through all aspects of school life.

Staff work thoughtfully to make sure that pupils, including students in the sixth form, are very well prepared for life beyond Northcott School and Sixth Form College. The extensive range of opportunities, and the carefully planned wider experiences, prepare pupils superbly for their next steps in education, employment or training.

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

Pupils study the full range of subjects expected nationally and make strong progress from their starting points.

The school has identified the important knowledge that they want pupils to learn. Pupils practise and apply their knowledge before more complex ideas are introduced. For example, young pupils in 'Little Blossoms' learn about the past and present when they study a topic on pirates.

This is the foundation for when pupils go on to develop a more detailed understanding of history, in both primary and secondary phases of the school.

Pupils develop a rich knowledge and understanding across the subjects they study because of the thoughtfully planned curriculum and the expert teaching they receive.

The school supports pupils to develop forms of communication, starting with small sets of symbols and images.

These are gradually expanded, to allow pupils to communicate with confidence. Alongside this, pupils learn to recognise the way sounds are represented through letters through the school's phonics programme. Older pupils at the early stages of reading receive expert support to catch up quickly.

They swiftly develop secure reading skills which enable them to enjoy books and access the wider curriculum.

Students in the sixth form receive a bespoke curriculum that meets their needs. The quality of this is exceptional.

Skilled teaching embeds fundamental knowledge in mathematics and English, and helps students then apply this in everyday life. A carefully designed curriculum allows pupils to achieve well in a range of accredited courses.

Pupils have many opportunities to develop their talents and interests.

They take part in an extensive range of activities designed to support them in adulthood, such as working in the on-site salon or cafe. These activities, too, are uniquely tailored to students' needs, talents and ambitions. Careers education is a real strength.

Students learn about workplaces, further education and about the community activities they may access in adulthood.

Pupils behave extremely well. They are enthusiastic and fully engrossed in their learning.

Pupils demonstrate empathy and understanding towards each other. Staff know their pupils incredibly well. They astutely develop pupils' character, resilience and empathy through carefully crafted interactions, knowing when to support pupils and when to provide more independence.

The school's commitment to the wider development of pupils is impressive. Pupils are ready for life in modern Britain because they learn about important issues such as consent, healthy relationships and finance. Pupils speak and communicate passionately about equality.

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, take on numerous leadership roles that all contribute tangibly to the school's inclusive culture. For example, playground buddies facilitate communication and friendships for pupils who find this difficult, so that no pupil is left isolated or alone because of their complex needs. Pupils enjoy a wide range of outdoor and indoor adventurous activities, regardless of physical ability.

The school is supported and challenged by an experienced governing body. They set an ambitious vision and work closely with leaders to ensure that the quality of education that pupils receive is continually improving. Staff value the regular training that they receive so that they can carry out their work effectively as part of a strong and collaborative team.

The school extensively supports providers, pupils and families across the local authority through their outreach work. The school's contribution to supporting pupils with SEND is noteworthy.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.