Watergate School

100766 Unique Reference Number Lewisham Local Authority 276381 Inspection number 7 °8 June 2006 Inspection dates Heather Yaxley Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Special Type of school Community School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Carl Handley Chair Mrs Alison Youd Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Lushington Road School address Bellingham London SE6 3WG

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020 8695 6555 Telephone number 020 8695 8280 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 7 °8 June 2006 Inspection dates 276381 Inspection number .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by one of Her Majesty's Inspectors.

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Description of the school

All pupils at Watergate School have severe or profound learning difficulties and disabilities, including an increasing number with autistic spectrum disorder. Approximately one third of pupils use wheelchairs in school. The vast majority of pupils have statements of special educational need and others are being assessed. Currently 22 pupils have dual placements with local mainstream schools and the school offers an outreach service to primary schools within the borough. The school moved to the current purpose-built site three years ago and takes pupils from the whole of the Borough of Lewisham. Pupils come from a range of different ethnic backgrounds and represent 21 different home languages. The headteacher is currently the executive headteacher for the sister secondary school for pupils with severe learning difficulties.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Watergate School, 7 °8 June 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

• make more effective use of tracking and assessment information • ensure that teachers maximise curricular opportunities for development of learning and social skills, including independence and choice.

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are good because of teachers' high expectations for pupils and the skilful ways in which they meet their diverse needs within whole class activities. Lessons are well-planned with good opportunities and targeted support for pupils to participate, communicate and express preferences, and become independent. Most pupils respond well in lessons and make good progress but opportunities to enhance skills are more developed in some lessons than in others. Sometimes opportunities for collaboration or independence are missed and skills are not always taught with enough structure or modelling. Resources are of good quality and add to excitement and interest. Pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties and those with autistic spectrum disorder benefit from a balance of teaching within the class and the resource bases.

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Grade:

The curriculum at Watergate is outstanding because it is very well-planned and used to extend pupil skills in all areas of school life. The curriculum makes a significant contribution to the excellent personal skills that pupils develop over time. It is very flexible, allowing for all pupils to have individual timetables, tailoring the curriculum to their needs and personal circumstances at any time. It includes access to learning in different settings such as in local mainstream schools, resource base sessions and collaborative projects such as that with the Globe Theatre for the 60 Second Shakespeare and the Billy Elliot production. Pupils of all abilities benefit from a wide range of age-appropriate activities that move their learning on progressively as they get older. Personal, social and health education programmes successfully integrate skill development within subject materials and this is further enhanced

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Grade:

by a range of additional activities such as the residential week for Year 5 pupils, sporting events, visits to museums and clubs at lunchtime. Parents and carers are encouraged to extend learning at home using homework packs. The quality of the building and outside areas significantly contributes to the way in which the curriculum is successfully delivered. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Watergate School, 7 °8 June 2006

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Grade:

The care, guidance and support that staff give to pupils is good with much that is outstanding. All personal needs are very well met. The way in which personal care needs are addressed in the classroom successfully ensures that there is no distraction from the learning activity and that time on task is maximised. At lunchtimes adult support is subtle and very well-targeted, ensuring that the meal time is a social learning experience. Staff expect pupils to work hard and to do their very best towards targets that stretch their knowledge, understanding and skills. The quality of individual education plans has improved since the last inspection. Individual targets and resources are now well-linked to the curriculum and provide staff with good information on progress. Rewards and praise enable pupils to persevere with their work. Pupils of all ages and abilities are encouraged to be independent and more development work is

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Grade:

planned to extend this so that they can be more active in decision-making and expressing choices. The school recognises that work with other agencies is not always as good as it should be because of limitations in what local services can provide, and is actively looking to improve the way in which services can work together more effectively. Health and safety are given high priority across the whole school site and robust procedures are in place to ensure that pupils are protected.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Watergate School, 7 °8 June 2006 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Watergate School, 7 °8 June 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils I was very pleased to visit Watergate School and see all the great things that you are doing. Watergate School is a good place for you to learn and play. You are very happy at school and enjoy working and playing together. Well done Heather Yaxley Her Majesty's Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Watergate School, 7 °8 June 2006

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