News & Events

Following our Ofsted inspection in February 2025, which found that our school requires improvement, we have remained fully focused on delivering our comprehensive action plan for school development.

On 17 September 2025, Ofsted inspectors returned for an additional monitoring visit. Their findings confirmed that while further improvement is still required, progress is being made, and our plans are beginning to show early positive impact.

We are pleased that inspectors recognised the significant work already underway, and the improvements seen so far, after just a short while since the original inspection.

Key Actions Taken Since the Last Inspection

· Strengthened leadership: We have expanded our leadership team with the appointment of a Deputy Headteacher and an Assistant Headteacher, increasing our capacity to implement change effectively.

· Developed staff expertise: We have focused on high-quality teaching and learning. Staff have clear expectations for what should be included in every lesson, and we have worked collaboratively to define what effective modelling and scaffolding look like in practice.

· Refined academic planning: Our 2025/26 academic plans have been reviewed and updated to ensure that each learning pathway is tailored to meet the diverse needs of our pupils.

· Enhanced curriculum design: Leaders have supported teachers to create detailed medium- and short-term plans that identify the right support for individual learners.

· Strengthened monitoring: A new programme of monitoring and review has been developed to track the impact of our revised teaching strategies.

· Increased focus on reading: Regular reading lessons have been introduced across the secondary phase to promote a culture of reading for learning and enjoyment.

· Improved parent and carer engagement: We have expanded opportunities for face-to-face engagement, including a summer BBQ and regular coffee morning drop-ins, strengthening collaboration between school and home.

· Improved premises: A major programme of works over the summer has made our site safer, more welcoming, and better suited to supporting learners’ health, safety and wellbeing.

Ofsted-Recognised Strengths

Inspectors highlighted several areas of strength, including:

· Pupil wellbeing: The wellbeing of pupils remains central to everything we do. Staff are passionate about ensuring pupils are happy, engaged, and able to access learning successfully.

· Safeguarding: Safeguarding practice is strong, ensuring the safety and welfare of all learners.

· Health and enrichment: Pupils are encouraged to be healthy and active through a wide range of activities. Additionally, our chef provides nutritious, home-cooked meals, helping pupils to develop food tolerance and independent eating skills.

· Collaborative, holistic support: The needs and wellbeing of each learner are discussed regularly in multidisciplinary meetings between class staff, therapists, and leaders. Therapists also provide both in-class and one-to-one support to help pupils develop the skills they need to thrive.

Continuing Areas for Development

We continue to focus on the key priorities outlined in our school action plan, including:

· Embedding the curriculum frameworks which were implemented in September 2025.

· Ensuring high quality teaching through regular monitoring, observations and coaching.

· The leadership and management of the school, working closely together, ensuring a clear focus on improving the quality of education.

Leadership Reflections

James McQuiggan, CEO of Autism Anglia, said:

“In September, Ofsted inspectors visited Doucecroft School for an additional assessment following our February inspection, which found that the school required improvement.”

“Since then, we have been implementing our school action plan. While the September visit confirmed that improvement is still required, inspectors recognised that meaningful progress is being made.”

“We have strengthened school leadership and governance, which underpins everything we do. The appointments of a new Deputy Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher have significantly enhanced our capacity to drive change.

We have worked hard to strengthen the quality of education through staff development, curriculum review, and improved monitoring. It is encouraging that inspectors noted our teaching is now clearer and more focused on what pupils should learn.

Our safeguarding practice continues to be strong, ensuring our learners’ safety and welfare.

Since the September inspection, we have continued to build momentum, including ongoing review of our curriculum, ensuring appropriate assessment frameworks are in place and reviewing qualifications delivered, to ensure they are appropriate to our learners.

With our dedicated staff, strong leadership, and the support of our school community, I am confident we will achieve sustained and positive change.”

Headteacher Sam Lawrence added:

“We are proud to have a community of dedicated staff and supportive parents and carers, all committed to ensuring our learners receive high quality teaching and learning in a safe, nurturing environment.

“I’m delighted that inspectors recognised our many strengths, including the strong focus on pupil wellbeing and the passion our staff show in ensuring learners are happy, engaged, and ready to learn.”

“We are still receiving many referrals from the local authority and this is clearly needs driven, with parents requiring specialist settings for their children. It’s a reflection of our reputation for providing high-quality, specialist education in a caring and supportive environment.”

“We remain focused on embedding consistency in teaching and leadership at every level. I am confident that Doucecroft School will continue to move forward positively and build on the excellent foundations now in place. Ofsted will continue to monitor the schools progress regularly”