This is an exciting time to be at Cherry Oak School. The quality of education for pupils has declined over time, but things are now starting to get better. Pupils love coming to school. One parent told us that their child ‘often goes in dancing and jumping around’. Other parents described similar enthusiasm. Communication and life skills are priorities. Pupils find how to express themselves and overcome barriers to learning quickly. Lessons are getting better at preparing the pupils for the world around them. Pupils behave nicely and work hard in lessons. This is because staff know the pupils well. Most staff understand communication, sensory and emotional needs fully and put the right plans in place to support pupils to feel safe and behave well. As a result, this is a calm and welcoming environment. However, too many pupils do not achieve enough. Lessons do not always help them to learn and remember more. The motto ‘working together for success’ is now driving improvement. Pupils do not have a clear understanding of what bullying is. However, they know that teachers would act if they felt they had been upset by others. Leaders investigate any reported incidents and act when needed.