Pupil unit gets highest rating for fifth time

APUPIL referral unit has been given the highest possible rating by inspectors for the fifth time in a row.

The Pendlebury Centre, on Edgeley Road, is one of three pupil referral units for secondary aged students in Stockport.

The centre provides fulltime placements for 40 students with a variety of social, emotional and mental health needs.

It welcomed Ofsted inspectors in January 2017 and received ‘outstanding’ in all areas accessed. It is the only school in Stockport to achieve this.

The report praised the quality of the school’s leadership and added: “Your pupils and their families are in no doubt that your school transforms lives. Parents and pupils appreciate the way that you and your staff recognise the potential of pupils and nurture their talents and interests.

“The Pendlebury Centre is held in high esteem by senior leaders in local schools. They cite the phenomenal success you have in supporting their most vulnerable pupils.”

Headteacher Janice Cahill puts the success down to staffs’ tireless work to ensure that every students has access to quality education.

She said: “I am so proud of our fifth consecutive Ofsted judgement of outstanding.

“This confirms the work we do with some of Stockport’s most vulnerable young people.

“My staff work tirelessly to ensure that every student has access to a quality first education and that their social, emotional and mental health needs are supported to enable them to return to their mainstream schools or post-16 provision.

“As the issue of mental health in young people has been recently under the spotlight nationally, it’s fantastic that we have been recognised as a centre of excellence supporting students in their education alongside their mental health needs.

“I believe this report also recognises the strong partnership we have with our mainstream secondary schools and Stockport Council.”

Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick added: “The report is a testimony to how hard the headteacher and staff members work to make sure their pupils reach their full potential.

“The council will continue to work closely with Pendlebury Centre to make sure all the future needs of their pupils are being met.”

Find out more at pendleburycentre.org.uk.