AN INDEPENDENT special school in Hampshire which has “prioritised training” has retained its ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.
St Edward's School, in Sherfield English on the outskirts of the New Forest, has retained its rating by the school regulator following a multi-day inspection in November.
The report, published on January 24, noted pupil’s social and emotional health were met “exceptionally well”, with leaders developing “bespoke support, including therapies, for pupils”.
It added: “Staff have strong subject knowledge, and this enables them to carefully explain new content taking account of the needs of individual pupils.
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“Teachers skillfully use assessment to identify pupils’ gaps in learning and prioritise the most important content for them to study.
“Leaders have deliberately created calm classroom environments and staff use effective resources which support pupils to maintain their self-regulation.”
The report to the £85,896-a-year boys’ school added: “Staff are ambitious for pupils to be well prepared for their lives beyond St Edward’s.
“Leaders are committed to supporting pupils from an early age to consider a range of careers and take the next steps towards education, employment or training, including meeting different providers to inform their future plans.”
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Headmaster Graham Maher said: “St Edward’s School was delighted with the findings from their recent Ofsted inspection.
“St Edward’s is a day and residential special school providing care and education for boys who experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH).
“One of the real highlights for the staff at St Edward’s was how positively pupils spoke to the inspectors about their school.
“They were clearly proud to be part of the school community. One pupil told the inspectors, ‘This is the best school I have ever been to’.
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“Of course, inspection affirms what we do, but the ability to walk alongside each other; to realise the importance of education, pastoral care and therapy to the recovery of our pupils; and to build relationships that promote a celebration of difference, is what makes our school special.”
The report also added the proprietor, Clifton Catholic Diocesan Trust, should “strengthen their work to hold leaders to account by sharply focusing on the independent school standards” after it was discovered they “do not know how well” standards of independent schools are met.
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