Fairlight Glen Independent Special School, Herne Bay

What it's like to be a pupil at Fairlight Glen Independent Special School

The school has experienced changes in leadership and staffing in recent years. New leaders and the proprietor have worked well to ensure that previously unmet independent school standards (the standards) regarding the welfare, health and safety of pupils are now met securely. Leaders are starting to address inconsistencies in teaching, pupil outcomes, attendance, implementation of pupils' individual education and health care plan targets and the personal social and health education curriculum. Many of the improvements are only just beginning to bear fruit. This means that most pupils do not leave school well prepared for the next stage of their education, employment and training. Staff know pupils very well. They provide pupils with the help, care and support they need to become confident, independent and successful members of this inclusive community. Pupils are resoundingly clear that their school is a ‘friendly, happy, welcoming and safe place'. They rise to leaders' high expectations and show positive attitudes to their learning. Breaktimes are sociable occasions. Pupils enjoy organising board games, playing together or taking a moment to catch up with their friends. Pupils are full of praise about the efforts staff make to give them opportunities and support they would not ordinarily have. When pupils find it difficult to manage their behaviour, staff respond sensitively and carefully. This helps pupils to regulate their feelings and emotions. Pupils take ‘time out' and go on a sensory walk, they practise mindfulness and listen to music. They learn how to keep safe, including when online. Pupils are not concerned about bullying. They trust staff to quickly help them to resolve any worries or problems they have. Pupils heartily participate in the myriad of ‘enrichment activities' that motivate them to pursue their interests. They discover new hobbies, such as cooking, sewing, fishing and woodwork. Pupils proudly showcase their musical talents and perform at local and national events.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders at all levels should make sure that they have the knowledge and expertise to play their part effectively to meet the independent school standards securely and consistently. They should also continue to embed their systems and processes for overseeing areas of the school's work so that the improvements they seek are rapid and sustained.
• Leaders should make sure that staff implement pupils' individualised plans and specific interventions consistently well, so that pupils achieve their educational health and care plan targets successfully.
• Leaders should ensure that teaching is consistently effective, so that pupils make links in their learning and embed their knowledge securely over time.
• Leaders should make sure that teachers assess pupils' understanding effectively, addressing any gaps that arise promptly, so that pupils achieve as well as they should.
• Leaders should ensure that the schools' attendance procedures are consistently effective and help pupils secure high rates of attendance.
• Leaders should make sure that the personal, social and health education curriculum supports pupils to develop their knowledge and appreciation of different cultures and faiths represented in modern Britain.

Fairlight Glen creates a genuinely caring, happy and welcoming environment where pupils feel safe and valued. Staff provide skilled support to help pupils who lack confidence, and the school excels at teaching reading and mathematics with many pupils achieving nationally recognised qualifications. The school also offers excellent enrichment activities and a strong careers programme to help pupils explore their futures.

Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding with all legal requirements met, meaning pupils are made safer and feel safe.

Visits to leisure centre, swimming pool, cafe, adventure outings, cooking, sewing, fishing, woodwork, music performances at local and national events, community garden, sensory walks

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