INSPECTORS have praised the “positive difference” a special school near Thornbury is making to the lives of children.
Ofsted visited Castlefell School in Rudgeway during March, a year after it opened.
The regulator said the school is ‘good’ in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development, and meets independent school standards.
Castlefell School is run by Witherslack Group, a special education needs provider which runs more than 30 similar schools across the country.
Pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs or autism, and the fees of £98,827 to £130,751 per year are paid by councils via each child’s education, health and care plan (EHCP).
Inspectors Julie Carrington and inspector Wendy D’Arcy said: “Many pupils had negative experiences of education or missed a lot of school before they arrived at Castlefell.
“Staff build strong and effective relationships with pupils.
“The school has high expectations of what pupils will learn. Pupils rise to these by working hard. They learn a lot. Typically, pupils behave well.
“Many recognise the positive difference this school is making in their lives.
“Bespoke support is on hand for pupils when they need it.”
This includes a range of therapies, including talking therapy and occupational therapy, to reduce anxiety.
‘Ambitious vision’
The inspectors said the school’s leaders have an “ambitious vision for the school and what pupils will achieve”, and it is well-led, with an effective team.
Castlefell is based on the site of the former Silverhill School, at Silverhill Brake.
Set up to cater for up to 50 children aged from eight to 16, it currently has 27 pupils on its roll, in four classes for secondary-age pupils and two for primary-age pupils.
There are currently no pupils in Years 10 and 11 but the school is planning a range of GCSEs from September.
The inspectors highlighted the school’s “broad and ambitious curriculum” that prioritises reading and includes the “essential knowledge that pupils need to learn”.
To improve further, they said the school needs to ensure all pupils learn the writing skills they need and do not repeat work in maths, and ensure staff have the highest expectations of behaviour to eliminate low-level disruption between lessons.
Head is ‘incredibly grateful’ for families’ support
Head teacher Wendy Yeo said she was “extremely proud” of the rating, which was “a real celebration of the hard work, care, and commitment of our entire school community”.
She said: “We are thrilled that inspectors have recognised the enormous achievements that have been made in just one year and the high expectations we hold for our pupils in an exceptionally supportive and inspirational environment.
“It was wonderful to see inspectors praise how well staff know and support the children, and to hear that pupils feel safe, happy, and proud of their school.
“We’re especially pleased that Ofsted highlighted our ambitious curriculum and the strong support we offer to all pupils.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from families and the wider local community, and we look forward to continuing to grow and succeed together.”