Barrs Court School

Inspection of Barrs Court School Barrs Court Road, Hereford, Herefordshire HR1 1EQ

p.1

Inspection dates: 22 and 23 November 2022

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Previous inspection grade Outstanding 22 and 23 November 2022

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Barrs Court School is a special place to be. Pupils learn from the moment they arrive in school until they leave at the end of the day. Staff treat pupils with dignity and respect. As a result, pupils respect staff and show empathy to each other. Pupils know that staff look after them well. They say they have an adult in school they can talk to if they have any concerns.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

At the heart of the school’s work is leaders’ determination that all pupils will make good choices, communicate well and identify and deal with any difficulties they may face. This is seen in all aspects of school life. Staff are aware of the smallest signs that pupils may be finding things tricky and take proactive steps to help pupils to manage this. Pupils are supported very well to manage their own behaviour.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Staff expect all pupils to be as independent as they can be. They make sure that all pupils are taught to express their opinions and make choices. Pupils choose from the considerable number of extra-curricular opportunities activities that are designed to match their interests. All pupils have the opportunity to attend a week’s residential where they take part in group activities to challenge and inspire them. For many pupils, this is the first time they have been away from home.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders and staff work effectively with parents, who are very positive about the education their children receive.

p.2

better?

Staff have high ambitions for their pupils. They make sure that all pupils have the highest quality education so that they can be prepared well for adulthood. Staff know pupils’ needs extremely well. They use this understanding to create a positive environment in which pupils continually thrive.

p.2

better?

Leaders have carefully identified the important things that pupils should know. Highly effective teachers and expert teaching assistants adapt lessons so that all pupils are able to learn this information. For example, in personal, social and health education (PSHE) lessons, pupils are taught about healthy relationships. Some pupils learn about how to identify safe adults, and others are supported to express their views about what they like or do not like, using suitable communication aids. This makes sure that pupils can communicate clearly if things go wrong. Teachers have excellent subject knowledge. They use assessment well to identify the small steps of progress that pupils make. Staff are persistent. They make sure that all pupils can show that they know what has been taught before they move on.

p.2

better?

Leaders are determined to make sure that all pupils can read. In key stage 3, pupils learn phonics. Teaching is carefully adapted to the needs of the pupils. Some pupils learn about how to track objects to prepare them for reading. Other pupils learn phonics sounds and use their communication aids to show their knowledge. Pupils who read more fluently read books that carefully match sounds and that are 22 and 23 November 2022

p.2

3

appropriate to their individual needs. In key stage 4, pupils who cannot read fluently continue to learn how to decode words and this is applied to what they will need in adulthood. They learn to read useful signs and to complete basic forms.

p.3

3

Pupils are thoroughly prepared for their next steps. Pupils develop their talents and interests through an extensive wider curriculum offer. They make choices about what they would like to do. For example, older pupils are supported to develop their own interests, take part in social activities or join the leisure centre as this helps prepare them for adulthood. Teachers run a range of exciting lunchtime clubs to meet pupils’ needs. Some younger pupils attend a gardening club, which supports their sensory needs and makes sure that they are ready to learn in the afternoon. The popular music club is attended by many pupils, some with communication aids. Most pupils participate in the annual show at the local theatre. Pupils perform or work backstage. This helps pupils become more confident and resilient.

p.3

3

Careers provision is a real strength. As soon as they join the school, all pupils learn about careers. They explore their talents and aspirations and find out about ambitious future pathways In Years 10 and 11, all pupils go on work experience. They choose where they would like to go and are interviewed for the position they have applied for. All pupils attend an annual careers fair, where local colleges and providers attend the school for the day. Pupils are challenged to have high aspirations for their future.

p.3

3

Barrs Court School is a busy school. Staff work hard. They say that leaders are mindful of their workload.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders prioritise keeping pupils safe. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding. They are well trained and report all concerns, no matter how small. This vigilance means that leaders are proactive in seeking the right support for pupils. Leaders are relentless in challenging other agencies if they think that they are not providing the right help. Pupils are taught to keep safe. They are taught about consent and learn how to identify and name feelings or behaviours that upset them. Leaders make sure that all adults who work in the school have the right checks.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 22 and 23 November 2022

p.3

Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

p.4

Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ refers to those pupils who attract government pupil premium funding: pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years and pupils in care or who left care through adoption or another formal route. 22 and 23 November 2022

p.4

School details

Inspection number 10241038 Type of school Special

p.5

School details

School category Academy special converter

p.5

School details

Headteacher Lisa Appleton (Executive Headteacher)

p.5

School details

Date of previous inspection 22 and 23 October 2019, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

p.5

Information about this school

 Barrs Court School is a special provision for pupils with complex needs.  The school is on two sites. Key stage 3 pupils attend the Barrs Court Road site. Key stage 4 pupils attend the Hub at Symmonds Street.  At the time of inspection, there were no students in the sixth form.  The school meets the Baker Clause. This means that pupils in Years 8 to 13 receive information about the full range of education and training available to them. This includes opportunities for a range of education and training providers to speak to pupils about the pathways open to them.  The school does not use alternative provision.

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspector(s) carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. 22 and 23 November 2022

p.5

6

 This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  D uring the inspection, inspectors held discussions with the headteacher and other senior and middle leaders.  Inspectors held discussions with teachers and representatives of governors.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in communication and language, physical development, early reading and PSHE. For each of these subjects, inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked samples of pupils’ work.  Inspectors met with members of staff individually and in groups and spoke to pupils at various points during the inspection. Inspectors took account of responses to staff surveys, as well as Ofsted Parent View. There were no

p.6

6

responses to the pupil survey.  Inspectors looked at records relating to behaviour, bullying, attendance and safeguarding.  Inspectors reviewed safeguarding arrangements by checking the school’s approach to staff recruitment, scrutinising policy documents and meeting with the designated safeguarding lead.

p.6

Inspection team

Claire Price, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.6

Inspection team

Janet Lewis Ofsted Inspector 22 and 23 November 2022

p.6

7

regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

7

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

7

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

7

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

7

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7