‘Children say they feel safe’ as school gets good report
A MOORLANDS special school which offers residential places has been rated very highly by Ofsted inspectors.
Cicely Haughton in Wetley Rocks offers day and residential places to girls and boys aged five to 11 years.
There are 50 pupils on role and the school offers 33 residential places in its residential provision. The residential provision is part of the school’s education curriculum offer.
Inspectors found that overall experiences and progress of children and young people was outstanding;
The effectiveness of leaders and managers was outstanding; and how well children and young people are helped and protected was good.
Headteacher Paul Spreadbury said he was delighted with the report.
He said: “We were delighted to receive such a positive report, highlighting the valuable role that residential education provides pupils that are faced with social, emotional and mental health challenges.
“With schools necessarily planning their recovery curriculums with these challenges in mind, the value added learning opportunities residential education offers will be key in supporting the county’s most vulnerable children throughout these unprecedented times.
“Residential education is a crucial service for these pupils and it demonstrates a high quality and lifelong impact on the lives of children and their families.
“The funding for this offer was previously under threat, but the local authority have wisely seen fit to invest in these pupils in the longer term. Given Covid’s impact on the mental health of children this decision will doubtlessly prove more valuable than ever in the next few years and beyond.”
Louise Whittle, social care inspector (lead), said: “The residential special school provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the school contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.
“Children love coming for residential stays and benefit hugely from warm and trusting relationships with dedicated staff. They go to the nurturing staff for hugs and reassurance. Children demonstrate that the residential provision is special to them and they feel a strong sense of ownership. Pictures of staff, children and regular visitors and also useful information are displayed on colourful noticeboards and keep children informed about what is going on, on a day-to-day basis.
“When children start their residential stays, the sensitive staff provide them with excellent support which helps them to settle. If a child is anxious about spending a night away from home, staff are on hand for them to talk to. Staff do whatever it takes to ensure that children are reassured and happy. Firm, consistent routines that meet the individual needs of each child provide them with a strong sense of security.
“Children make exceptional progress. They learn how to better manage their behaviour, their social skills develop and they become more able to play with other children and make friends. Children grow enormously in confidence and in their ability to engage in school. Children make significant academic progress, enabling many to go on to a mainstream school. The progress that children make also enhances their home life.
“Staff involve children in discussions about their care and needs and encourage them to identify how staff can help them. Children understand how to complain and have access to the independent person. This means that children feel listened to and valued.
“Highly trained, vigilant staff keep children safe, and children say that they feel safe. Children do not go missing from the residential provision and are not subject to child exploitation, radicalisation or online abuse. Staff are alert to these issues and demonstrate excellent knowledge and practice. They understand the vulnerabilities of each child.”