Addington Wokingham Special school celebrates outstanding Ofsted
Addington Wokingham Special School recently came under the spotlight by inspectors from the office for standards in education (Ofsted) and the results were outstanding!
The Wokingham school was awarded outstanding for every single category including overall effectiveness, effectiveness of the sixth form, effectiveness of the foundation stage, achievements and standards, personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, care, guidance and support, leadership and management and curriculum.
The special school in Woodley has 195 pupils on its roll aged between three and 19 years old and has specialist status in music.
Inspectors praised the school saying it is ‘an outstanding school because pupils make exceptional progress both academically and in their personal development. These achievements are supported by excellent teaching and by a curriculum which is well tailored to the differing needs of all the learners.’
It was clear to the inspectors that the pupils love coming to school and one parent’s comment said: ‘This school is ‘fab’ in every respect.’ The inspectors noted that many of the pupils ‘value their school and this is evident through the very good relationships they have with staff, their good attendance and the obvious pride they have in the school and their own achievements.’ Pupils even told the inspectors they liked working hard!
All pupils at Wokingham Addington Special School do well and their achievements are good, with many making outstanding progress. Those pupils who join in the foundation stage have an excellent start to their education and are well prepared for the next steps in their education. Older pupils in the sixth form also achieve highly. The school has good links with local colleges and almost all pupils leave sixth form for further education courses. The school was also praised by inspectors for the ‘excellent progress’ sixth formers make in their personal development owing to initiatives such as work experience, which is carefully adapted to their abilities.
Inspectors also noted the music provision. They were impressed that every pupil has the opportunity to join musical celebrations and some pupils perform in concerts with their peers from other Wokingham Borough mainstream schools. Many pupils are leaning an orchestral instrument. Those pupils with complex communication disorders are also supported through music therapy, which adds to their awareness of and confidence in interacting with others.
Inspectors also noted pupils’ good behaviour and they told inspectors that ‘everyone was friendly here’. Inspectors were also impressed with pupils’ excellent understanding of healthy eating and the value of exercise and had ‘exceptional opportunities to take part in physical exercise.’ Many of the pupils said that learning was fun!
Teaching was also praised and the report noted ‘teachers know their pupils very well and this enables them to plan challenging, well-paced and interesting activities for each pupil, so ensuring many of them make outstanding progress.’ There was also praise for the individual tuition received highlighting that pupils feel more confident to try new things.
The curriculum was also rated as outstanding and that it is ‘precisely adapted to the differing learning needs of the pupils’. The report highlighted the ‘specialist teachers and support staff provide a high standard of additional support to ensure all pupils can take advantage of the full range of activities. Pupils also have a good choice of activities outside lessons including lunchtime and after-school clubs.
The Wokingham school was awarded outstanding for every single category including overall effectiveness, effectiveness of the sixth form, effectiveness of the foundation stage, achievements and standards, personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, care, guidance and support, leadership and management and curriculum.
The special school in Woodley has 195 pupils on its roll aged between three and 19 years old and has specialist status in music.
Inspectors praised the school saying it is ‘an outstanding school because pupils make exceptional progress both academically and in their personal development. These achievements are supported by excellent teaching and by a curriculum which is well tailored to the differing needs of all the learners.’
It was clear to the inspectors that the pupils love coming to school and one parent’s comment said: ‘This school is ‘fab’ in every respect.’ The inspectors noted that many of the pupils ‘value their school and this is evident through the very good relationships they have with staff, their good attendance and the obvious pride they have in the school and their own achievements.’ Pupils even told the inspectors they liked working hard!
All pupils at Wokingham Addington Special School do well and their achievements are good, with many making outstanding progress. Those pupils who join in the foundation stage have an excellent start to their education and are well prepared for the next steps in their education. Older pupils in the sixth form also achieve highly. The school has good links with local colleges and almost all pupils leave sixth form for further education courses. The school was also praised by inspectors for the ‘excellent progress’ sixth formers make in their personal development owing to initiatives such as work experience, which is carefully adapted to their abilities.
Inspectors also noted the music provision. They were impressed that every pupil has the opportunity to join musical celebrations and some pupils perform in concerts with their peers from other Wokingham Borough mainstream schools. Many pupils are leaning an orchestral instrument. Those pupils with complex communication disorders are also supported through music therapy, which adds to their awareness of and confidence in interacting with others.
Inspectors also noted pupils’ good behaviour and they told inspectors that ‘everyone was friendly here’. Inspectors were also impressed with pupils’ excellent understanding of healthy eating and the value of exercise and had ‘exceptional opportunities to take part in physical exercise.’ Many of the pupils said that learning was fun!
Teaching was also praised and the report noted ‘teachers know their pupils very well and this enables them to plan challenging, well-paced and interesting activities for each pupil, so ensuring many of them make outstanding progress.’ There was also praise for the individual tuition received highlighting that pupils feel more confident to try new things.
The curriculum was also rated as outstanding and that it is ‘precisely adapted to the differing learning needs of the pupils’. The report highlighted the ‘specialist teachers and support staff provide a high standard of additional support to ensure all pupils can take advantage of the full range of activities. Pupils also have a good choice of activities outside lessons including lunchtime and after-school clubs.
Wokingham Borough Council
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