Brantridge School, located in Staplefield, West Sussex, is a special school catering for boys aged six to eleven with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly those related to social, emotional, and mental health. The school has recently undergone its first inspection since becoming an academy in January 2018, receiving a Good rating in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, with an outstanding rating for personal development. The inspection highlighted that pupils thrive in this supportive environment, often arriving after significant disruptions to their education. The school's tailored approach effectively addresses the unique needs of its students, fostering a sense of safety and belonging.
Leaders at Brantridge School have cultivated a calm atmosphere that encourages achievement, and pupils respond positively to the high expectations set for them. Parents and carers express unanimous praise for the school, noting significant improvements in their children's cognitive, behavioural, and social development. The school emphasizes emotional literacy, teaching pupils to recognize and manage their emotions and understand the feelings of others. This approach contributes to a safe environment where pupils feel supported and confident that staff will address any issues, including bullying.
The school excels in developing pupils' self-esteem and confidence through a comprehensive personal development curriculum alongside an academic curriculum. Staff are skilled in identifying and addressing the specific needs of pupils, adapting activities to support their learning effectively. Pupils benefit from a rich array of experiences that promote personal growth and prepare them for adulthood, including off-site trips that help them navigate expectations beyond the school setting.
While the academic curriculum is not as robust as the pastoral curriculum, pupils perform well overall, with many successfully taking national curriculum tests at the end of key stage two. However, the inspection identified areas for improvement, particularly in enhancing staff subject knowledge in academic areas to ensure all pupils receive a high-quality education across the curriculum. Leaders are aware of the need to refine the history curriculum to provide a more coherent learning experience.
Reading is a significant focus at Brantridge School, with staff successfully engaging pupils in literature and fostering a love for reading. Many pupils who join the school as reluctant readers make substantial progress, becoming avid readers by the end of key stage two. Behaviour management strategies are well-implemented, with a consistent approach across the staff that aligns with pupils' needs, resulting in fewer behavioural incidents over time.
The school benefits from the support of its multi-academy trust, which facilitates collaboration and idea exchange among staff from other special schools. However, some governance responsibilities, such as publishing statutory documents and ensuring educational quality, require more effective oversight. Safeguarding arrangements are robust, with staff trained to recognize risks and respond appropriately, ensuring pupils receive necessary support.
In summary, Brantridge School provides a nurturing and effective educational environment for boys with special educational needs, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to personal and academic development. While there are areas for growth, particularly in academic subject delivery and governance, the school is on a positive trajectory, with leaders actively working to enhance the curriculum and staff expertise.
