The Children's Trust School

Inspection of The Children’s Trust School Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5RU

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Inspection dates: 19 and 20 September 2023

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Previous inspection grade Good 19 and 20 September 2023

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at this school. Their individuality is recognised and nurtured. One parent told us that this school ‘opens up a whole new world’ for its pupils. We agree. Staff here are determined that pupils should experience life in all its richness, regardless of their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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What is it like to attend this school?

The education that pupils receive at this school helps them to participate more confidently in the world around them. Staff are experts at teaching pupils to communicate using a range of methods personalised to each individual. This work empowers pupils, helping them to find their voice. Pupils enjoy their learning here, and lessons are characterised by moments of wonder and celebration.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The needs of pupils are always the first priority at The Children’s Trust School. A caring, child-centred culture is tangible throughout the organisation from the work of trustees through to daily classroom interactions. Staff get to know pupils exceptionally well. They are skilled in interpreting every nuance in pupils’ behaviour and communication. This motivates pupils to engage with their learning meaningfully and ensures that their efforts and progress are recognised.

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better?

The school’s curriculum is extremely effective. It provides an adaptable framework, which teachers combine with the information from pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans to ensure that learning is highly purposeful and individualised. The curriculum and its delivery allow all pupils to experience success and recognition. Older pupils are given the opportunity to achieve meaningful accreditations. Information from teachers’ assessments is used to adjust teaching and fine-tune pupils’ learning goals. In addition, trustees and governors make excellent use of this information to assure themselves that the curriculum is having its intended impact.

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better?

Pupils’ physical development is central to the curriculum throughout the school. Staff are skilful in combining pupils’ targets in this area with specialist therapeutic input, to ensure that all pupils make the best possible progress. Consequently, pupils achieve greater control of their posture, improved muscle strength and more independent movement.

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better?

The school excels at getting to know pupils’ interests and talents, often finding innovative ways to nurture and develop these. Pupils benefit from a strong focus on accessible art and music, both as areas of study and as a therapeutic input. There are many examples of pupils being empowered by opportunities to express themselves creatively. They are proud of their achievements, such as the artwork which is displayed around the school. Pupils enjoy a broad range of extra-curricular clubs and activities, such as ‘sing and sign’ and, notably, their own music and art festival. 19 and 20 September 2023

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Leaders have given careful thought to the way personal, social, health and economic education and relationships, sex and health education are woven through the curriculum at an age-appropriate level. As a result, pupils develop their understanding of important topics, such as consent and privacy. They also learn about how to use electronic devices safely and assistive technology effectively. The school has a highly ambitious careers programme, where pupils learn about different workplaces from hairdressing to horticulture. Older pupils also benefit from carefully planned enterprise activities, such as designing and selling their own candles and artwork.

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Staff understand that the pupils’ behaviour is a form of communication. They pick up on the smallest of changes and take a highly reflective approach to understanding and addressing the root causes. This is extremely effective at ensuring pupils remain engaged and motivated. The school has very high expectations of pupils’ attendance. They work effectively to meet pupils’ medical needs within the school, so that they do not miss out on learning.

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The success of this school is underpinned by the expertise of its staff. Leaders have created a culture where everyone is keen to reflect and learn. Professional opportunities are wide-ranging and targeted for greatest impact on pupils. The school and trust engage with their staff very well. They consider the impact of policies on staff workload and have created a workplace culture which is rewarding and supportive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at 19 and 20 September 2023

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any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 19 and 20 September 2023

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sixth form

Website www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/school

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sixth form

Dates of previous inspection 15 and 16 November 2022, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 The Children’s Trust School specialises in the education of pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties. All pupils at the school have an EHC plan.  The school includes a nursery provision for pupils from the age of two.  The majority of pupils currently at the school are in the secondary phase. There are a small number of pupils attending the nursery on a part-time basis. There are no Reception-age pupils.  The school is part of a registered charity known as The Children’s Trust. The charity owns the site where the school is based. The site also contains a registered children’s home, medical and therapeutic facilities run by The Children’s Trust.  The school currently uses no alternative provision. 19 and 20 September 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  The inspection was carried out at the same time as an inspection of the residential provision.  Inspectors met with senior leaders in the school, including the school’s headteacher. The lead inspector also met with representatives of the board of trustees, the chief executive officer of the trust and some members of the governing body. The lead inspector also spoke with a representative of the local authority about their placement of pupils at the school.  Inspectors met with a range of non-teaching staff, including support assistants, therapists and nursing staff who work in the school.  The inspection team carried out deep dives in these subjects: communication,

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Information about this inspection

language and literacy, personal development and physical development. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke with teachers and looked at evidence of pupils’ achievement.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors looked at a range of documentation, including pupils’ EHC plans, annual review documentation and individual targets.  Inspectors considered free-text responses to Ofsted Parent View. They also considered the views of staff who completed a confidential questionnaire.

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Inspection team

Chris Ellison, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Sue Cox His Majesty’s Inspector 19 and 20 September 2023

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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