Special school keeps outstanding rating

A SPECIAL school in Thornbury has been rated 'outstanding' following an Ofsted inspection.

After a two-day visit in November, an inspector praised the “remarkable” way pupils at New Siblands school approach their learning, and the “dedicated and highly knowledgeable” staff.

There was no change in rating since the last inspection in 2020.

But the inspector said it was possible the rating could be lower if a more detailed “graded” inspection was carried out. She said the next inspection would be graded one.

The school caters for 126 pupils, aged two to 19, who have learning difficulties, with primary children at a site in Gillingstool and secondary pupils at Easton Hill Road.

In her report, the inspector

Leanne Thirlby said the school was “a calm and purposeful place to learn”, and pupils feel safe and enjoy coming to school.

She said all pupils experienced an extensive range of opportunities across their education, and careers education and work experience ensure they develop into independent and resilient young people ready for life beyond school.

However she said the academic curriculum was not as ambitious and consistent as it could be, so that pupils have the best possible options available to them.

The report said leaders ensured the curriculum covers the needs of all pupils, including getting advice and guidance from external partners to enhance learning.

The inspector said: "The early reading curriculum develops pupils’ communication very well. There is a clear understanding of how early communication and exposure to books is fundamental to children in the earliest stages of reading.

"Staff use the outcomes in education, health and care plans to target what pupils need to learn and assess how well they make progress. They break these down into smaller steps, ‘priority learning goals'."

However the inspector said the system and process around this was not yet as consistent and effective as it could be, so some pupils do not always get the most precise support they need.

The report said that for some pupils, the curriculum was not designed to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes and leaders do not fully assure themselves that curriculum goals are as ambitious as possible.

The inspector said: "Leaders need to ensure that the curriculum is as ambitious as it can be to support what pupils know and remember over time.

"Some aspects of the curriculum and assessment systems are not as well embedded and consistent as they could be. As a result, some pupils do not always get the most precise and appropriate learning and support that they could…and some pupils do not achieve as well as they could.

"Leaders need to ensure that there is a robust and consistent approach to monitoring the implementation and impact of their actions and decision-making so that all aspects of the curriculum are secure and consistent.”

The report said arrangements for safeguarding were effective.

The Voice has asked Enable Trust, which runs New Siblands, to comment on the report.

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