Barraclough Hall School, Huddersfield

What it's like to be a pupil at Barraclough Hall School

Pupils enjoy warm and respectful relationships with staff who know them well and understand their needs. Those who find it difficult to start the day are met and supported sensitively by well-trained staff. Well-established routines and dedicated personal spaces help pupils settle into their learning. Staff manage behaviour well and assist pupils in identifying and controlling their emotions. The school is calm and purposeful. Bullying is not tolerated. Pupils feel safe in school and are rarely absent. Pupils are proud of what they achieve. Leaders and staff gain an in-depth understanding of pupils' interests, talents and needs. They are ambitious for pupils both socially and academically. Teachers are adept at finding out what pupils already know when they first start at the school. Pupils succeed in their learning because staff adapt their teaching and support with great care. This ensures that pupils catch up quickly and close gaps in their learning. However, at times, inconsistencies in the delivery of the curriculum occur when teachers lack precise subject knowledge. These inconsistencies hold pupils back from achieving as highly as they could. There is a well-developed enrichment offer, which prepares pupils well for adult life. For example, pupils learn how to budget for and prepare food independently. Pupils benefit from opportunities such as music therapy, drama, community visits and special themed events. The school equips pupils with important learning about safety and how to get help. Pupils are generally prepared well for their next steps.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should make sure that teachers' expectations of the outcomes achieved by pupils are as high in the foundation subjects as they are in mathematics and English.
• Leaders should ensure that staff have a secure understanding of writing development and that an agreed strategy for teaching handwriting is embedded in the school curriculum.
• Leaders should continue to broaden the range of qualifications and awards available for pupils.

Barraclough Hall School excels at creating a truly welcoming environment where pupils with special needs feel understood and safe. Staff are exceptionally caring and well-trained, with a clear focus on removing barriers to attendance so pupils who previously didn't come to school now attend regularly. The school is particularly strong at personalised learning, with leaders carefully matching the curriculum to each child's development stage and providing excellent support to help pupils catch up quickly in reading and mathematics.

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open, positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils feel safe.

Music therapy, drama, trampoline therapy, community visits, special themed days, careers guidance, life skills (budgeting, food preparation, managing finances)

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