Ofsted
The school provides an exceptionally strong, collaborative, caring and supportive environment where students feel safe, develop their personal qualities and achieve academic success. Students’ achievement and well-being are at the forefront of the school’s ethos of care and education. Highly effective working relationships with those funding placements and a wide range of other specialist agencies and professionals contribute extensively. Very effective procedures enable the school to track students’ academic and personal progress, the enhanced role of key worker contributes to the effectiveness of this. (Ofsted 08)
Strong relationships exist between students and staff, with mutual respect. The students feel fairly treated and are able to approach staff with concerns or personal problems. Two students said that previous schools had not been pleasant experiences but Swalcliffe Park School has helped them to work in class and enjoy school. Transition periods are managed well between school and residential staff, these have changed in response to suggestions made by the school council. Student consultation is an integral part of the development of the school. This occurs formally through student council, surveys, tutor groups, residential groups and through their annual reviews. (Ofsted 08)
Students feel safe and are clear on boundaries within the school and their personal behaviour. There are low levels of bullying and students feel confident that staff will ‘sort it out’ when reported. Students are supported in addressing any behavioural difficulties they may have and receive clear and consistent responses from staff. Behaviour incentive schemes are well received by students and considered fair. One student said he liked it that if he had a difficult morning he could try and turn it around in the afternoon and that this would be noticed and rewarded. Staff are trained to manage and respond to challenging behaviour and comprehensive records are maintained. (Ofsted 08)
Achievement across the school is outstanding because of the total care and education package it offers. Students’ standards on entry are well below what is expected for their ages. However, the progress they make in relation to their starting points is excellent. (Ofsted 08)
This outstandingly successful school develops each student’s potential in a happy, secure and supportive environment. It meets fully its core aim of providing child-centred, non-confrontational, integrated care and education. The headteacher leads the school highly effectively and along with his senior team, sets a very clear direction and sense of purpose with a continuing focus on improvement. A further strength is the highly collaborative approach of the multi-disciplinary staff involved. These include specialist subject teachers, learning support assistants (LSAs), care staff, speech and language therapists, a consultant psychologist, a school counsellor and administrative staff. There is a strong culture of communication, collaboration and cooperation between home and school, which starts from the students’ very first visit. The overwhelming majority of parents are supportive of the work of the school. One, expressing the sentiments of many others, commented, ‘The way the staff have worked as a team to help my very troubled son to settle in has been amazing.’ (Ofsted 08)