Corley (Coventry) School is a day/residential special school for children with special educational needs maintained by Coventry City Council.

The school was inspected by Ofsted 16 – 20 November 1998 and the resulting report is very positive and fulsome in its praise throughout concerning the work of the school.

Since the last inspection in February 1995 the school has made very good progress in, and the teaching of, subjects of the National Curriculum, and has improved considerably. Students at Key Stage 4 are achieving a greater range of accreditation. The school has clear priorities and is well placed to make further improvements.

The inspectors decided that the following are "what the school does well":

• The school’s ethos is very good

• The curriculum is broad, balanced and relevant

• Pupil’s personal development, attitudes and standards of behaviour are very good

• Support, guidance, career advice and work experience prepare pupils very well for the next stage in their life

• Relationships are good

• The school provides a good range of accreditation at the end of Key Stage 4 and pupils achieve good standards

• Residential education of good quality supports the development of pupils’ social and independence skills

The small number of areas the inspectors considered required further development are already recognised by the school and have been already identified in the schools’ Development Plan.

The ethos of the school is very good. Pupils are motivated and there are high expectations of pupils. Behaviour is very good in classes and around the school, and the pupil’s attitude to learning is judged to be very good. They respond positively to their lessons, listen attentively and follow instructions from their teacher. They are interested in their work and stay on task.

The quality of teaching is good throughout with 5% being excellent, and 22% being very good.

The school’s Aims and its Code of Conduct set a clear moral framework which underpins its work. The overall quality of provision for the support, guidance, health, safety, well being and protection of pupils is very good. Very positive relationships between staff and pupils throughout the school result in the pupils feeling secure and confident.

Cllr Joe Clifford, chair of education excellence policy team said:

"This is a good report about one of our longstanding special schools. Congratulations are due to the children, parents and carers and the Governors and staff. Well done!"

Richard Nason, Headteacher said:

"This is a very good Ofsted report and is worthy of considerable celebration; it reflects the hard work undertaken by the staff to provide valuable provision for the education of children with special educational needs, the school benefits from a caring and committed staff."