Heart of the Forest Community Special School in Gloucestershire has undergone an ungraded inspection, with the overall judgment remaining good. The inspection highlighted that while the school maintains a positive environment where pupils feel safe and happy, there are areas that require improvement to enhance educational outcomes. Pupils express satisfaction with their school experience, demonstrating trust in the staff and understanding the importance of kindness and respect. They exhibit good behavior and are aware of the expectations set for them, contributing to a supportive learning atmosphere.
Despite the positive environment, the school faces challenges in ensuring that all pupils achieve their full potential. Leaders acknowledge the need for improvement in assessing pupils' learning effectively. Teachers do not consistently check for understanding, leading to persistent errors and misconceptions among students. This indicates a need for more rigorous monitoring of pupil progress to ensure that learning gaps are addressed promptly.
Pupils are eager to engage in school activities and take on responsibilities, such as participating in the school council. They appreciate the opportunities to contribute to school decisions, which fosters their social skills and prepares them for future educational stages. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs and events that promote creativity and confidence among pupils.
The school is currently experiencing staff turnover, which poses challenges for leadership in maintaining a stable educational environment. Leaders are committed to providing a high-quality education and are actively seeking to recruit new staff. They recognize that some pupils are not achieving as well as they could, which affects their future prospects. Plans are in place to strengthen the educational framework, but these initiatives are still in the early stages of implementation.
In terms of literacy, leaders aspire for pupils to become functional readers. However, some staff lack the necessary skills to teach phonics effectively, resulting in insufficient practice opportunities for early readers. The reading materials used do not always align with pupils' learning stages, hindering their reading fluency and comprehension. Additionally, the mathematics curriculum is new and not yet fully embedded, with some areas lacking sufficient challenge.
Pupils' personal development is well considered, with leaders providing opportunities for them to learn about the wider world through various activities and trips. These experiences enrich their education and contribute to their overall development. The school also offers high-quality careers guidance, preparing students for future employment and educational opportunities.
While some parents express concerns about leadership and communication, others feel confident in the school's ability to meet their children's needs. The governing body is aware of the school's strengths and weaknesses and is committed to working with leaders to implement necessary changes.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with leaders responding promptly to concerns and ensuring that staff are suitable to work with pupils. However, there are instances where safeguarding records lack detail, indicating a need for improved oversight.
To enhance the school's performance, leaders must focus on improving communication with parents, ensuring clarity in the curriculum, and providing staff with the necessary training to support pupils effectively. Addressing these areas will help the school fulfill its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all pupils.
