Hall School, located in Old Catton, Norwich, is an all-through special school that caters to pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties. The recent ungraded inspection conducted on 23 and 24 April 2024 confirmed that the school maintains its overall judgement of good. The evidence gathered during the inspection suggests that the school could potentially achieve an outstanding rating if a graded inspection were to take place. The next inspection is expected to be a graded one.
Pupils at Hall School are reported to be safe and happy, receiving exceptional care from staff who understand their unique needs. The high expectations set by the staff contribute to the pupils' success across various aspects of their learning and development. Behaviour within the school is exemplary, with pupils demonstrating an awareness of when they need calming activities to help regulate their behaviour. The engaging teaching methods employed by the staff ensure that learning is interesting, resulting in minimal disruption and allowing pupils to focus on their success.
The positive relationships between pupils and teachers foster an environment where pupils feel valued and supported. This nurturing atmosphere encourages pupils to communicate, learn, and develop independence. The school provides excellent support across various contexts, enhancing pupils' confidence and resilience, which enables them to work independently alongside their peers. Additionally, pupils benefit from a wide range of external visits, with younger pupils primarily engaging with the local community, while older pupils and sixth-form students learn to navigate public transport with staff assistance.
Significant improvements have been made to the curriculum since the last inspection, with leaders designing learning pathways that cater to the complex needs of the pupils. The curriculum is ambitious, with clear endpoints, and staff receive guidance on effective implementation strategies. This structured approach to teaching has resulted in high levels of pupil achievement. Reading is emphasized throughout the curriculum, with pupils in key stage two beginning to learn letter sounds and constructing simple sentences. The love for stories is evident among pupils, with older students able to discuss their favourite books.
Communication is a central focus at Hall School, with teachers adept at creating strategies that enhance pupils' communication skills. All pupils can communicate using signing and symbols, and many progress to using words and phrases by the time they leave the school. The early years curriculum is well-planned, ensuring that children make a strong start to their learning, supported by engaging activities and strong routines.
The sixth form curriculum is carefully structured to help students develop functional skills necessary for adult life, including online safety and community awareness. Students demonstrate respect for one another and their teachers, and comprehensive careers advice is provided, ensuring successful transitions to college or social care placements.
The school collaborates effectively with external agencies to meet the complex needs of its pupils. Efforts to improve attendance and reduce persistent absence have been successful, resulting in good attendance rates. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils.
Overall, Hall School exemplifies a commitment to providing high-quality education and support for pupils with special educational needs, fostering an environment where they can thrive academically and socially. The school’s dedication to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils is evident in its practices and outcomes.
