Southbrook School, located in Exeter, Devon, is a special school catering for pupils aged 11 to 16 with a range of complex needs, including moderate to severe learning difficulties and autism. The school has a total enrollment of 146 students, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. The headteacher, Simon Winward, was appointed in October 2022, and the school is governed by a dedicated body led by Fiona Bowie.
The recent inspection, conducted on June 7 and 8, 2023, concluded that the school maintains its overall judgment of good. However, it was noted that the quality of education provided is inconsistent, with leaders not having clearly identified the essential knowledge and skills that pupils should learn across all subjects. This has resulted in gaps in pupils' understanding and knowledge retention over time. While pupils enjoy attending Southbrook School and feel safe and happy, the inconsistency in educational quality poses a challenge to their overall development.
Pupils at Southbrook School exhibit positive behavior and respect for one another, engaging well with their learning. Staff members are skilled in supporting pupils' emotional needs, helping them manage their feelings and become more independent learners. The school has effective strategies in place for addressing behavioral issues, and instances of bullying are rare, with staff addressing any occurrences promptly and effectively.
Leaders at Southbrook School are ambitious for their pupils, but the pace of improvement has been hindered by recent turbulence in leadership. Despite this, there are well-considered plans in place to address identified weaknesses, particularly in the curriculum. However, many of these initiatives are new, making it too early to assess their impact on pupils' learning.
In subjects like English, teachers effectively use assessment to monitor pupils' understanding and inform future learning. However, in other subjects, assessment practices are still developing, leading to some pupils experiencing gaps in their knowledge. The school prioritizes reading, and pupils express enthusiasm for the variety of books available. Nevertheless, the reading materials provided do not always align with individual pupils' needs, which can hinder their progress in becoming confident readers.
The personal development program at Southbrook School is comprehensive, offering pupils a solid understanding of healthy relationships and a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including clubs and off-site visits. The school also provides effective support for preparing pupils for adulthood and the workforce, ensuring they receive appropriate careers education and guidance.
Safeguarding arrangements at Southbrook School are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding established by leaders. Regular training for staff and thorough systems for reporting concerns ensure that pupils receive the necessary support. The curriculum includes information to help pupils stay safe online and in the community, addressing important issues such as sexual harassment and online abuse.
To improve, the school needs to clarify the key knowledge that leaders want pupils to learn and ensure that the phonics scheme is age-appropriate and meets pupils' needs. Additionally, assessment practices must be effectively implemented across all subjects to address knowledge gaps and enhance learning outcomes. Overall, while Southbrook School demonstrates strengths in various areas, there are clear opportunities for growth and improvement to better serve its pupils.
