Prospect School, located on Freeley Road in Havant, Hampshire, has recently undergone an inspection on the 24th and 25th of September 2024. The school has received a consistent rating of Good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This reflects the school's commitment to providing a supportive and effective learning environment for its pupils.
The school prioritizes the welfare and emotional needs of its students, ensuring that each pupil is welcomed warmly upon arrival. This approach allows staff to tailor the curriculum to meet individual needs, fostering a readiness to learn. The curriculum is broad and balanced, reflecting high expectations and ambition for all pupils. Positive relationships between staff and students contribute to a calm and orderly atmosphere, where pupils are generally polite and courteous. Most students exhibit good behaviour during lessons and social interactions, and they learn the importance of accepting differences among individuals. The school encourages pupils to voice any welfare concerns, ensuring they receive the necessary support.
Prospect School offers various opportunities for wider learning, including sporting events and outdoor activities. Staff frequently take pupils off-site to parks and public places, which helps build their self-esteem. The school has recently reviewed its curriculum design, particularly for pupils with education, health, and care plans. Many students have faced negative educational experiences in the past, and the school provides appropriate support to reignite their passion for learning. For instance, the garden group offers personalized learning to help students settle into the school environment.
Pupils are well-prepared for their next educational stages, studying a range of subjects that often lead to qualifications and national awards. The school maintains high aspirations for all students, with no limits on what they can achieve. Most subject curriculums include detailed steps to help pupils build knowledge over time, although some subjects lack the same level of precision, which can hinder progress.
Reading is emphasized throughout the curriculum, with staff employing effective strategies to support pupils who struggle with reading. Regular opportunities for reading aloud in class are provided, and reluctant readers are encouraged through discreet methods. The school fosters a love for books, exemplified by the daily drop everything and read sessions that engage the entire school community.
The school effectively identifies pupils' additional needs and adheres to agreed strategies to manage behaviour, resulting in minimal disruption to learning. Data on behaviour is meticulously analyzed, allowing for adjustments to meet specific needs. As pupils progress, they develop resilience, enhancing their ability to learn and retain information.
Despite these strengths, some pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should. The school has implemented a rigorous approach to behaviour analysis to improve attendance, with many pupils showing significant improvement over time. Personal development and careers education are integral to the curriculum, supported by individual learning plans that are regularly reviewed.
While the school organizes trips and activities that are well-received, the monitoring and analysis of their impact on learning is not yet fully established. This means that these experiences do not always enhance the curriculum as effectively as possible. The school is encouraged to plan these activities more thoughtfully to reinforce learning.
Overall, Prospect School demonstrates a strong commitment to the education and well-being of its pupils, providing a supportive environment that fosters personal and academic growth. The school is well-positioned to continue improving and ensuring that all students achieve their full potential.