'The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve' - Academy celebrates 'Good' Ofsted rating
A specialist education academy in Shrewsbury has been given a ‘Good’ rating in its latest Ofsted inspection - with special praise for the positive relationship between staff and pupils.
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Severndale Academy in Monkmoor works with children and young people aged from two to 25 with a range of learning difficulties including autism, complex medical conditions and physical and mobility difficulties.
The inspection report said: “Pupils love coming to school and eagerly enter to be greeted by warm and welcoming staff. The positive relationships between staff and pupils are clear to see.
“This helps to create a calm environment where pupils display positive behaviours. A range of wider activities successfully develop pupils’ independence, sense of belonging and responsibility.”
The inspectors added: “The school’s vision of ‘enabling communication, independence and enjoyment for life’ is at the heart of everything it does for pupils. This helps to prepare pupils well to become valued members of society.
“The ‘Severndale Way’ ensures that there is a strong and consistent focus on supporting pupils to communicate their thoughts and learning. This means that children, pupils and students from the early years through to the post-16 provision have a voice in their learning and the pathways they follow.
“The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. It has developed a curriculum that enables pupils to successfully work towards and achieve these expectations.
“Staff know and understand each pupil’s pastoral needs very well, which enables them to help pupils engage positively with their learning.”
The inspectors recognised "significant changes" at the school since the last inspection, including a redesign of its curriculum with a focus on ensuring that pupils are helped to succeed to the best of their ability.
Severndale Academy has been part of the Learning Community Trust (LCT) since 2021.
Chief executive Jane Hughes said: “I am absolutely delighted with the progress made, and that this has been recognised now in its Ofsted report.
“I know how hard the whole staff body at Severndale has worked to give the pupils a school they can flourish in. I am so proud of all the staff - they exemplify what we strive to do in LCT schools for our students and their communities, putting them at the heart of everything.
“I am also so pleased for the parents and families of the children that they can have confidence in the school providing the best experiences for them going forward. I would also like to thank the extended teams in the local authority, plus health, and social care for their support in Severndale's success.”
Ali Ashley, the trust’s director of specialist education, added: “The staff teams at Severndale are united in their ambition to provide the very best education, therapy and care for all our pupils, and this outcome captures the progress so far.
“We are incredibly proud of Severndale's achievement and are thankful to our extended community for their dedication and support.”
The Learning Community Trust runs more than a dozen education sites across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, including secondary schools, primary schools, and specialist education centres.
