Tuke School, London

What it's like to be a pupil at Tuke School

As pupils arrive each morning, staff greet them with genuine warmth and enthusiasm, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Pupils settle quickly because they are familiar with the routines and because they have built positive working relationships with staff. The staff team get to know pupils very well. They take time to understand each pupil's interests, preferences and individual ways of communicating. As a result, learning inside and outside of the classroom is motivating for pupils. Pupils typically enjoy their learning. They are keen to participate and have the resources they need to engage meaningfully. Furthermore, this deep knowledge enables staff to recognise subtle nuances in pupils' behaviour. As a result, pupils' behaviour is supported and managed effectively, helping them to feel safe, settled and happy in school. The school places great emphasis on nurturing pupils to become confident and resilient. Pupils learn to be as independent as possible, which is preparing them well for adulthood. For example, pupils have many opportunities throughout the day to practise and develop their mobility skills. They do this through a range of creative learning, such as dance and art activities. Pupils and students in the post-16 provision regularly extend their learning into the local community, including how to travel independently. Pupils' learning, care and wellbeing needs are supported very well. Staff, including specialist teachers, therapists and health professionals, work collectively to identify and implement strategies to reduce pupils' personal barriers. As a result, pupils generally achieve well academically, personally and socially. The school fosters strong relationships with parents and carers. Leaders communicate with them regularly. Many parents appreciate this. The school's work goes beyond supporting pupils who attend the school. For example, leaders deliver training to parent volunteers on how to support young people with varied needs to access events and enrichment activities outside of school.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure that the newly introduced systematic synthetic phonics programme is implemented consistently and effectively for pupils who are at the early stages of learning to read.
• Leaders should ensure that assessment systems of the taught curriculum are embedded robustly to help teachers identify where pupils need support to address gaps in their knowledge and make strong progress from their starting points across all areas of the curriculum.

Tuke School excels at understanding each pupil's individual needs and creating personalised support that helps them thrive. Staff are exceptionally well trained and genuinely care about preparing pupils for independence and adult life through creative learning, real work experience, and developing confidence. The school creates an inclusive, orderly environment where all pupils - including disadvantaged pupils and those with complex needs - are fully included and valued.

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

Theatre companies, art workshops, dance, multisensory experiences, gallery visits, charity fundraising, local café visits, festival celebrations, friendship club, yoga, Friday disco, small enterprises (meal preparation), work-experience placements (London Zoo), school reception support, food bank deliveries, allotment work

Bus Stops