Stone Bay School, located in Broadstairs, Kent, is a foundation residential special school catering for pupils aged between four and nineteen years. The school serves students with autism spectrum disorder and severe learning difficulties, ensuring that all pupils have an education, health, and care plan. The recent inspection, conducted from February 27 to 29, 2024, concluded that the overall effectiveness of the school is good, maintaining the same rating as the previous inspection in January 2018.
Pupils at Stone Bay School generally enjoy their time, with older students expressing pride in their school and friendships. New students are welcomed warmly, benefiting from well-planned transition arrangements into Reception. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils typically behave well, and staff employ effective strategies to support those who may need additional help. The student council reported feeling safe, although they noted that noise levels can sometimes be distracting. The school offers a range of engaging activities, including horse riding and swimming trips, which contribute to a positive school experience.
The leadership at Stone Bay School is effective, with governors actively supporting the drive for excellence. Significant decisions regarding the curriculum have been made, and the first phase of improvements to the quality of education has been successfully implemented. Leaders are collaborating closely to refine the broader curriculum, introducing new pathways for older pupils, including those in the small sixth form. The school emphasizes distributed leadership, empowering staff to work together to enhance all aspects of provision.
The curriculum is tailored to meet the diverse needs of pupils, with small class sizes allowing for personalized attention. The school effectively promotes language and literacy, and the mathematics program is evolving in collaboration with other local special schools. Developing communication and reading skills is prioritized, particularly in the early years, with carefully selected key books supporting various curriculum elements.
Classroom observations indicated that pupils are mostly engaged in their learning, although some inconsistencies in curriculum implementation were noted. There are occasions when learning objectives are not broken down into sufficiently small steps, which can hinder some pupils' ability to retain key knowledge. The school recognizes the importance of ensuring that all teachers have clarity regarding the learning steps required for pupil progress.
Personal development is a key focus, with social skills and emotional well-being being nurtured from early years through to sixth form. The school integrates personal, social, and health education across the curriculum, helping pupils develop essential life skills. Older pupils benefit from work experience and career programs that prepare them for future opportunities.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the school is committed to providing enrichment opportunities, revitalizing its outdoor areas and on-site facilities. The local authority is supporting a major refurbishment program, which has already begun to enhance the school environment. The pace of change has been rapid, and while there is still work to be done, the school is progressing positively.
Safeguarding arrangements at Stone Bay School are effective, ensuring that pupils' safety and well-being are prioritized. The school is dedicated to continuous improvement, focusing on consistency in teaching practices and ensuring that all pupils can achieve their full potential. Overall, Stone Bay School is making significant strides in providing a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
