The Garden School, located in London, has undergone an ungraded inspection on March 21 and 22, 2023, and has maintained its overall judgment of outstanding. However, the evidence suggests that if a graded inspection were conducted now, the grade might not be as high. Inspectors recommend that the next inspection should be a graded one. The school is dedicated to ensuring that pupils are happy and safe, with staff working diligently to provide a nurturing environment. Leaders prioritize access to knowledgeable and caring professional support for pupils and their families.
The school emphasizes the development of life skills, which are integral to preparing pupils for adulthood. Life skills are taught throughout the school day, both in lessons and during extracurricular activities. However, the time allocated for the subject curriculum is limited, leading to a lesser focus on explicit subject-content knowledge. Teachers are consistent in their lesson structures and behavior management, benefiting from extensive professional development provided by school leaders.
Teachers encourage pupils to make choices that enhance their confidence and emotional management. Effective strategies are in place to measure and support pupils' behavior, with collaboration between school and families to ensure consistency. The curriculum is well-planned and sequenced, aiming for all pupils to become as independent as possible. A consistent approach to developing communication skills is a notable strength of the school.
Despite these strengths, the balance between developing life skills and subject knowledge needs improvement. Curriculum documentation often emphasizes skills over essential subject knowledge, and in the new Year 12 and 13 classes, work-related learning opportunities are still in the early stages. Phonics teaching for pupils who can access it is also at an early stage, and early reading skills for older pupils are not well integrated into the curriculum. This lack of clarity in planning affects teachers' awareness of what pupils need to know for future learning.
Leaders are beginning to implement a process to check and record pupils' learning, linking targets set by teachers and therapists with individual education, health, and care plans. The school has recently expanded its curriculum to meet the needs of older pupils, providing opportunities for practicing life skills in realistic settings. However, the rollout of phonics for all pupils who can benefit is still in the early stages.
The school effectively manages pupils' behavior, providing clear guidance for staff on supporting pupils. There is a strong emphasis on social and cultural experiences through the curriculum, assemblies, and community visits. The personal development curriculum is tailored to complement pupils' developmental stages, with parental involvement ensuring consistency between home and school.
The school team assesses pupils' needs effectively and develops strategies to support their learning and development. Leaders provide extensive professional development for staff, and there are ongoing efforts to improve communication with staff and families. While there are concerns about workload and well-being among some staff, plans are in place to address these issues.
The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with well-trained staff who recognize signs of potential harm. Pupils are taught the importance of personal safety, including online safety. To improve, the school needs to prioritize the implementation and monitoring of reading and phonics across the school. Additionally, the new key stage 5 provision requires careful identification of appropriate accreditation for all students to enhance their learning outcomes. Overall, The Garden School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
