A school with more than 200 pupils has been rated 'good' by Ofsted following a "period of changes".

Inspectors from the education watchdog visited Riverwalk School in Mayfield Road, Bury St Edmunds, on July 16 and 17. 

The special educational needs school, which is attended by 206 pupils and is part of the Consortium Trust, was rated 'good' overall and in every category, including early years and sixth form provisions. 

A report published on September 9 described the school as "happy" and said pupils with complex needs receive "skilful support". 

It explained the school had been through a "period of changes in leadership" and has acted "with urgency" to reverse issues found when Ofsted visited in June 2023 and said the school was "in decline". 

Inspectors said the school has "implemented a clear vision for high-quality education" but that this "has not been communicated and managed as effectively" as it could have been.

They found staff are proud to work in the school but some are "unsettled" and "do not buy into the school’s vision as much as it wants". 

Inspectors said the school's new curriculum identifies what pupils should learn and, in most cases, pupils are developing knowledge well.

However they said there are some areas where it is less clear what subject-specific knowledge teachers should assess and it is not always adapted to build on prior knowledge, impacting progress.

Staff were said to teach effectively, working "seamlessly" with teaching assistants and health professionals.

The report reads: "The school provides strong support for pupils’ individual needs. It reviews the outcomes from education, health and care plans regularly."

Inspectors said the reading curriculum has improved and the school teaches pupils how to behave and manage their emotions. 

They said the trust has given "swift and effective operational support" but the board’s scrutiny is "not yet as rigorous as it could be". 

To improve, inspectors said the school should identify what specific knowledge needs to be assessed across the curriculum to allow pupils to make stronger progress.

They also said the school needs to work with staff so they "understand and support the changes that it is making", and the trust should ensure the structures of governance are effective so the board can "support and challenge the school successfully".