Maple Tree Primary School

Strengths

• Ambitious and inclusive culture that raises expectations for every pupil.
• Accurate leadership understanding of curriculum and teaching quality.
• Broad, engaging curriculum with strong emphasis on communication, interaction and personal development.
• Reading, writing and mathematics sit at the heart of the curriculum.
• Teachers break down education, health and care plan targets into clear, personalised goals.
• Effective use of pictures, symbols and assistive technology to support learning.
• Phonics is generally taught well, and most pupils learn to read with confidence.
• Pupils feel safe because staff know them very well.
• Classrooms are typically purposeful places where pupils concentrate well.
• Low need for physical intervention because pupils learn to recognise triggers and express their needs.
• Safeguarding standards are met and all independent school standards are met.
• Strong work with parents, carers, social care, the virtual school and external therapists.
• Well-designed personal development, relationships education and enrichment activities.
• Pupils take on meaningful responsibilities such as school councillors.
• Positive and supportive staff culture with valued training and listened-to views.

Areas for Improvement

• Variability in staff expertise means a few pupils do not develop phonics knowledge as swiftly as they could.
• Staff do not always provide sufficient opportunities for pupils to practise handwriting skills.
• Some staff lack the expertise to deliver the phonics programme as effectively as they could.
• Leaders' approaches do not always help pupils overcome barriers to attending as well as they could.
• The proprietor does not always have rigorous oversight of governance quality or how effectively resources are used to improve provision.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools