North Ridge Community School is a welcoming place. Pupils are happy. They value the positive relationships that they have with staff. This means that the school is full of laughter and positivity. Pupils feel safe and enjoy attending school. Staff have high expectations of pupils. The curriculum is ambitious and is designed to help pupils build their knowledge across individual subjects and the wider world. The quality of education that pupils receive is a constant focus of leaders. However, sometimes teachers do not always choose the most appropriate activity to deliver the curriculum. Leaders are addressing this through the training that staff receive. Pupils’ behaviour is exceptional. Staff know their pupils well and make sure that their sensory and communication needs are met. This begins in the early years and continues right through the sixth form. This means pupils are ready to learn. Pupils contribute to school life by working closely with school leaders to improve the school. For example, pupils have worked with leaders to design the new playground. Pupils’ wider personal development is a sharp focus for leaders. The school ensures that pupils have a rich and diverse set of experiences beyond the curriculum. This opens up the wider world and broadens their horizons. Pupils thrive through the opportunities that the school creates. This includes the school disco, the climbing wall, trips, visits and the pupil parliament.