The work that Teachers and education staff at Rowden House School do to develop the independent skills of young people and to help them achieve has been highlighted and praised by Ofsted inspectors.
As part of the review the inspector spent two days observing lessons to focus on specific aspects of students’ learning. Discussions were also held with parents and representatives of local authorities. Student’s views were canvassed through the results of recent class discussions.
Although most students have had long periods of time out of education the Inspectors commented that from their starting point’s they make good and sometimes outstanding progress in their communication, literacy and numeracy skills. This progress is confirmed by national data.
Students also have the opportunity to complete nationally accredited courses that help them prepare for life in the community and strong behaviour management plans which enables them to manage their own behaviour as they settle into the school routine and start to experience success.
The schools Sixth Form was also praised for preparing students for the next stage of their lives.
‘Young people make considerable progress whilst being at the home’
Ofsted visited the schools care provision in October 2014 and gave the setting an overall Good rating with Outstanding features in ‘Outcomes for Young People’ and ‘Leadership and Management’.
The homes are led by Kim Ames, who has been the Registered Manager for the past three years. Kim has recently completed a secondment within a Local Authority in which she worked with placement teams to understand the placement process and work with social workers to improve the quality of the paperwork being sent when placing a young person.
Inspectors commented how this experience has led to the school working successfully with Local Authority Placement Officers and Social Workers to get more detailed referrals paperwork leading to a greater depth of knowledge of the young people for the staff team.
The report highlighted that the high awareness of staff of the differing needs of the young people means that young people make considerable progress.
Inspectors praised the homes ability to develop young people’s awareness of: being healthy, involving young people in consultation about their home and activities, maintaining contact with family and transition processes.
In line with the new government SEN reforms which came into effect in September, local authorities now have to produce a directory of services which are available for children, young people and their families. This is called the ‘Local Offer’. The aim of the Local Offer is to make services much more accessible and to give greater choice to families.
In line with this each specialist school within the SENAD Group now have their own Local Offer document which answers questions that are most asked by parents when looking for a specialist school.
Ofsted Inspectors visited the School in July and found all aspects of the residential care to be outstanding.
The areas the Inspectors cover are:
Outcomes for children and young people -Outstanding
Quality of care – Outstanding
Keeping children and young people safe – Outstanding
Leadership and management– Outstanding
Inspectors found that young people make significant progress in their education, health, self esteem, behaviour and independence skills.
Inspectors praised the staff team for their excellent communication with parents, carers and professionals, their exceptional support and guidance which helps students reach their educational potential, their promotion of students health and for keeping young people safe.
Children’s minister Edward Timpson and health minister Dr Dan Poulter have written to teachers, colleges, local authorities and parents about the SEND reforms, describing the changes the Department for Education is introducing in September 2014 to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
One Nine Five, the SENAD Groups newest transitional home for adults with specialist support needs, is holding an open day on Thursday 5th June between 10am and 2pm.
Potential residents, parents, carers and professionals are invited to pop in at anytime over the four hours to meet the Manager, Gemma Whiting, take a look round the high quality accomodation, get a feel for the local community and discuss their specific requirements.
To confirm your attendence please call 01332 378840
Children in Tanzania are enjoying thier new desks, excercise books and stationery thanks to a donation made by the SENAD Group.
Martyn Rosser who worked in the Groups Central Office Finance Team, travelled out to the country at the beginning of the year to volunteer.
One of the projects that he is involved with is an orphanage school. The children learn academic subjects in the morning, including English and Maths which Martyn teaches. In the afternoon they have labour classes which includes woodwork, masonry and textiles.
The donation has enabled the children to buy materials to make their own desks for their academics studies as at the moment they have to squeeze round two tables or write on thier laps.
A smaller amount has been spent on buying excercise books and stationary for the afterschool class which is run and funded by volunteers.
Post 16 students at Pegasus School enjoyed their first Prom on Wednesday the 12th of February. With a red carpet theme, students had been into the local town to choose their glamourous prom outtfits and on the day a spa and beauty salon was set up in the school for young people to enjoy being pampered and for the girls to have their hair and makeup done.
At 2pm a limo arrived and took the students for a 20 minute ride in style around the local area, returning students to the school, where a professional disco was set up in the gym. It was the first time that many of the young people had experienced a proper disco and was a huge success.
OneNineFive will provide accommodation for 10 residents aged 19 plus, to live in a suburban residential area with easy access to the shopping and leisure facilities of Burton upon Trent. The accommodation is designed over three floors of a Victorian house giving three self-contained apartments.
For more information please call – Suzanne Pennington. Tel: 01283 761352 or complete our online enquiry form.
Alderwasley Hall School and Sixth Form Centre are hosting a conference intended for Parents and Carers, Parent Support Groups and Charities, aiming to provide useful information, as well as an opportunity to network.
Our expert speakers will talk on The SEN Journey – educational law issues, E-Safety for young people with Aspergers and communication difficulties and there will be a first-hand experience of living life with Aspergers
