Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Lexden Springs School on July 2, 2024, following its previous inspection in February 2024, which identified serious weaknesses. The purpose of this monitoring inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since the last graded inspection. The inspection involved discussions with the executive headteacher, the chair of the interim executive board, local authority representatives, and staff, as well as classroom visits and a review of safeguarding practices.
The findings indicate that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to no longer be classified as having serious weaknesses. The interim executive board was appointed in January 2024 to facilitate rapid improvements, and a new executive headteacher with expertise in special education joined in March. The previous headteacher has since left, and a new designated safeguarding lead has been appointed to oversee safeguarding across both the school and its residential provision.
The inspection focused on the school’s efforts to enhance the curriculum to better meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Significant changes are being implemented, including the grouping of classes based on pupils' needs rather than age, which aims to provide tailored curriculums for the diverse needs of the student body. The curriculum will emphasize social interaction, communication, and early reading, with opportunities for pupils to achieve accreditation through programs like ASDAN. The post-16 provision is also being aligned with preparation for adulthood.
The school is developing a comprehensive assessment calendar to streamline how staff monitor pupil progress, which will inform the review of education, health, and care plans. The senior leadership team is adjusting quality assurance procedures to ensure the new curriculum effectively meets pupils' needs. Staff morale has improved, and they appreciate the changes being made, which are easing their workload. Training provided by the local authority has helped staff regain confidence in using the electronic system for safeguarding concerns.
Despite these improvements, safeguarding remains a concern due to the lack of essential medical advice for staff, which has hindered the updating of some pupils' care plans. The school has sought assistance from a community nurse, but access to this support has ceased. The local authority is working to resolve this issue, as the demand for updated care plans is increasing with new pupils enrolling in the upcoming academic year. A school nurse is set to start in September, but the need for timely medical support remains critical.
The school has established an improvement plan that addresses the weaknesses identified in the previous inspection. Actions are being implemented in a timely manner, and the school is on track to meet the recommendations from the last inspection. However, additional support is needed to overcome the current barriers to accessing medical assistance. The local authority is actively exploring options to ensure that all pupils have updated care plans in place. The overall assessment indicates that while progress is evident, sustained efforts are required to ensure the school meets the necessary standards for improvement.
