‘Remarkable school’ in Scunthorpe remains one of the best in the country
OFSTED’S REPORT SAID PUPILS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY TO ATTEND
A SPECIAL educational needs school in Scunthorpe has been rated among the best in the country by Ofsted inspectors.
St Hugh’s School in Bushfield Road is a special school catering to 11 to 16-year-old pupils with a range of learning difficulties. It has 155 students. Ofsted has for the third time in over a decade continued to judge it to be ‘Outstanding’ - the highest possible grade.
The inspectors’ report, published on July 24, praises school staff who “go above and beyond” to provide an “exceptional experience for every pupil”.
The report glows with praise and early on states: “Pupils are extremely happy to attend this remarkable school.”
Jonathan Kenyon, headteacher at St Hugh’s School, said: “It is with great pride and humility that we celebrate the recent Ofsted inspection, which has reaffirmed that St
Hugh’s continues to be an outstanding school according to their framework.
“While we recognise and support the ongoing national discussions about necessary changes within Ofsted, our community takes satisfaction in the positive findings of this latest inspection.
“More significant than the continued outstanding rating is the recognition of our students’ achievements within their personalised pathways and the exceptional support provided by our staff. This is something I have the privilege of witnessing daily.”
The inspectors who visited in midJune found all staff share a unified vision: “to provide an exceptional experience for every pupil, a vision that is fully realised”.
The curriculum had been significantly revised to ensure each pupil could excel in the chosen path, and planning for each subject is ambitious and thoughtful.
Every pupil’s voice is valued, inspectors found, and there are tailored adaptations and interventions to ensure all students’ needs are met. This includes the likes of assistive technology, while others communicate through signs and symbols.
The report also highlighted the care pupils had for each other. “Older pupils help younger ones to settle into school life. There is a real sense of family here.”
St Hugh’s careers programme also drew praise for enriching classroom learning by showing diverse career paths. The Ofsted report does not mention a single area where further improvement is recommended.
“To reassure all members of our special community, our commitment to everyone and the high standards of our provision will remain steadfast, regardless of any challenges we may face in the future,” added Mr Kenyon in his reaction to the report.
“It was a real privilege to visit St Hugh’s last month and see for myself how well the school is run and how amazing the young people are that attend,” said Cllr Julie Reed, North Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet member for independent families – children.
“I saw first-hand that the school has high aspirations for students and clearly works well with individual children to meet their needs and enable their dreams to become reality.
“Across North Lincolnshire we are working together to ensure all our children have access to the opportunities that help them realise their full potential.
“Reading this glowing report, it is clear this is embedded through every aspect of school life at St Hugh’s.
“I’m proud that our families are able to benefit from some of the very best facilities in the country.”
Ofsted’s one-word summary ratings may soon become a thing of the past. As alluded to by Mr Kenyon, there are national discussions about changes to Ofsted’s inspections regime.
This follows a Reading primary school headteacher’s death after her school was judged ‘inadequate’ last year, a rating later revised to ‘good’ within months.
I saw first-hand that the school has high aspirations for students and clearly works well with individual children to meet their needs and enable their dreams to become
Jonathan Kenyon
reality
Teacher unions and specific schools and universities have expressed their unhappiness since in the way inspections are carried out.
This included another Scunthorpe school, St Lawrence Academy, who felt their rating did not reflect the praise in Ofsted’s report.
The new Labour government was elected on a pledge to revise the Ofsted inspections regime and ditch one-word ratings.