Boarding school turns itself around at latest Ofsted inspection
A private school which cares for children with behavioural problems and which was rated as inadequate by government inspectors has turned itself around.
Cruckton Hall School, a privately owned home that gives education and care to boys with learning difficulties, specifically autistic spectrum disorder was visited by Ofsted inspectors last month.
A previous inspection which was carried out last year found that the school was performing below par.
In 2015 Ofsted inspectors revealed that pupils at the school, where annual fees can be as much as £90,143, were coming to lessons armed with sticks, knives and BB Guns. Three quarters of staff said they did not feel the young people at the school were safe.
Now inspectors have given the school an outcome of good in all areas and said that great strides have been made to improve the establishment.
Three inspectors, led by Her Majesty's Inspector Simon Mosley, found that the school, which has 35 pupils aged between eight and 19, now had a positive ethos and an ambitious culture.
In his report Mr Mosley said: "The quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved; some teaching is of the highest quality. Current pupils are making good progress in a range of subjects.
"Outcomes have improved since the time of the last inspection. Pupils achieve an appropriate range of qualifications and move on to meaningful destinations.
"The quality of middle leadership has improved but the strengths found in English, mathematics and the sixth form are not as evident elsewhere.
"Staff morale is high, the curriculum is broad and balanced as it is adapted to meet the needs of individual pupils.Learning in the classroom is supported by a wide range of outdoor pursuits such as bushcraft, climbing and forest school activities. Off-site learning is imaginative, safe and stimulating."
Behaviour at the school had also improved dramatically and the school was calm during the inspection.
However, Mr Mosley noted that while literacy and numeracy are well developed, pupils are not routinely given opportunities to apply their learning in different situations. The inspectors found that pupils were not consistently given time to reflect on and develop their ideas, respond to advice or cooperate productively with other pupils.
The school is one of three in England run by the Kismul Group. The current headteacher joined the school last year. All pupils have a statement for special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. Almost all have a history of severely challenging behaviours and many have not attended school regularly for some time.
