Setting

Education and residential inspection summary for Vale of Evesham School Four Pools Lane, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 1BN

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Inspection dates: 26 to 28 September 2023

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Outcome

The education overall effectiveness judgement is: good

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Outcome

The judgement for the experiences and progress of children in the residential provision is: good

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Every moment counts when it comes to 'learning for life' at Vale of Evesham school. The school has the highest expectations for all pupils.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Pupils arrive with various learning barriers, such as autistic spectrum conditions and speech, language, and communication needs. Because of caring staff and determined leaders, these barriers are overcome, and expectations are fulfilled. Pupils leave as confident young adults eager to be part of the world around them.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ A strong focus on positive relationships is at the heart of this special community. Staff act quickly when a pupil needs help or finds things difficult.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ This is a positive, calm environment where pupils are cared for and valued.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Pupils have varying understanding about bullying, but they agree that staff will be there for them if they need help. Pupils are happy and safe because the staff care.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Forest schools, horticulture or pop-up cafes enrich pupils' time at school. Trips to places such as castles, the railway, rugby stadiums or local museums inspire an awareness of the community around them. Education and residential inspection summary: Vale of Evesham School 26 to 28 September 2023 The inspectors made three recommendations to help the school improve, covering the quality of education and the sixth form.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Children make good progress while in residence. There are clear targets in place to enable staff to support children and to monitor progress. Leaders work hard to make continuous improvements to make this more effective. This demonstrates that leaders and staff are focused on developing new systems to support children to make ongoing progress.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Children have built strong relationships with the adults who care for them. Relationships between the staff and children are warm, affectionate and loving.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Staff are child-centred and supportive of children’s individual needs. They respond to children sensitively and with compassion, as well as providing consistent, individualised support. This helps children to build trust and feel safe and relaxed in their surroundings.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Children move between residence and school seamlessly. Staff work well with education staff to ensure that children have good transitions. Staff from both sides of the school communicate well with each other and handovers are clear and detailed.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Staff regularly seek children’s views so they can act on their wishes. For example, children meet regularly and talk about menu choices. Staff pass these to the kitchen staff, who arrange menus so children can eat the foods that they enjoy. The kitchen staff involve themselves in children’s care. They spend time with children setting up breakfast. The new catering manager also held a pizza-making activity with children to get to know them better. She considered all dietary requirements, so that everyone could take part. This contributes to the overall care children receive from all staff.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Staff work hard to support children to develop their individual independence skills. For some children, this may mean learning how to make their choice of snacks, for others, this involves them doing chores, such as laundry. Staff have high aspirations for children and want to help children to achieve.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ The residential environment is homely and warm. Children’s belongings fill the space, and children’s artwork and certificates are on display. Books and games are easily accessible and soft furnishings help to maintain a nurturing feel. Children personalise their bedrooms in ways that meet their needs and staff help them keep them tidy. However, plans to upgrade areas of the home, including children’s bedroom doors. have not yet come to fruition. This means that children who are ready to have more control of their privacy and the security of their room are not yet able to develop this. Education and residential inspection summary: Vale of Evesham School 26 to 28 September 2023 ◼ Staff understand children’s individual communication needs. Staff spend time getting to know children and to understand their views. Staff listen to the children’s views and act on the choices they make. Staff are creative and use a

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What is it like to stay at this school?

range of resources to find out children’s wishes and feelings. For example, choice boards are used to encourage children to communicate.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Children are actively encouraged to develop all their interests. Staff identify and nurture these well. Staff carefully consider how activities can help children’s development, as well as having an emphasis on children enjoying themselves. For example, children regularly attend forest school where they learn outdoor skills.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

The school does not meet the national minimum standards for residential special schools relating to Standard 1 - Statement of principles and practice, Standard 2 - Leadership and management and Standard 9 - Residential accommodation.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

The inspectors made one recommendation to help the school improve, covering the inclusion of the residential element of the school and National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools in policies.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the education provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/25/148347

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the residential provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/10/SC043049 Education and residential inspection summary: Vale of Evesham School 26 to 28 September 2023 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. 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 .

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What is it like to stay at this school?

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What is it like to stay at this school?

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What is it like to stay at this school?

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

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