Southgate School strives to give each pupil a personalised, aspirational and specialist curriculum each day. Leaders ensure that staff know pupils well. Staff work together to understand pupils’ individual needs. This includes understanding their academic needs and their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils feel safe in school. As a result, relationships between staff and pupils are highly secure. The school has redeveloped some areas of the curriculum. Leaders have relaunched reading and lessons to improve pupils’ phonics knowledge. The school is embedding this work to ensure that all pupils develop and strengthen their reading skills. All pupils are expected to read often over the school week. Staff support pupils who need help to strengthen their reading well. Pupils describe the books that they read with enthusiasm. They access a well-stocked library and read a range of books in lessons. Pupils behave well. There is a caring atmosphere, with a focus on respect for others. Pupils care for one and another. They support each other emotionally and academically. Adults are skilful in the support that they provide. They ensure that pupils learn how to manage themselves well, both in and around school. Pupils are welcoming. They are polite and willing to show visitors their work. They speak highly of their achievements and the progress that they make.