Setting

Education and residential inspection summary for Unsted Park School Munstead Heath Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1UW

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Outcome

The education overall effectiveness judgement is: requires improvement

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Outcome

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

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What is it like to attend this school?

Unsted Park School provides pupils with a caring environment where they feel safe and secure. Staff here understand that many pupils join the school following disruption to their education. They work hard to help pupils readjust to a school setting. Teachers and teaching assistants take time to get to know each pupil well and form strong relationships with them. This helps to build the sense that pupils and staff all belong to one community.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Although pupils generally achieve well here, their learning across subjects and key stages is inconsistent. Sometimes the teaching that pupils receive is not adapted to meet their needs or build on what they already know. The curriculum for key stage 2 is underdeveloped, which means that pupils in the primary phase are not learning as well as those in secondary.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Parents value the high levels of care and support that the school provides. Many parents describe how their children have flourished since starting at the school. One told us, ‘We have finally found a setting where our child can learn to be himself and where his mental health is viewed as the most important aspect.’ Education and residential inspection summary: Unsted Park School 7 to 9 November 2023 The inspectors made three recommendations to help the school improve, covering the effectiveness of assessment, the curriculum for pupils in key stage 2, and leaders’ actions to improve the quality of education over time.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school meets all of the independent school standards .

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What is it like to stay at this school?

Young people are cared for by a dedicated, exceptionally skilled team of staff who, through strong relationships, support them to make progress. Young people trust staff and believe in themselves, taking pride in what they have achieved.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

Parents speak positively about the impact that the residential provision has on their children and are clear that staff have a good understanding of their children’s needs. One parent described feeling anxious about their child being away from home. However, due to how well staff communicate with them, they were reassured. Another parent described it as, ‘Purely perfect for both my child and us as a family.’

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What is it like to stay at this school?

Young people make significant progress in the residential provision. Staff have a good understanding of young people’s individual starting points, and progress is assessed against this. Two young people have had quite incredible journeys and are now preparing for further education. Both young people previously had significant gaps in their education and were unable to engage. They are now being supported to plan for university and apply for college placements.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

There is an ongoing focus on supporting young people to be prepared for adulthood. This area of practice has significantly developed since the last inspection. Young people are encouraged to budget, plan, shop and cook three meals a week. Some are also supported to safely administer their own medication. The support that is offered to young people is individualised and reflects their needs.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

Young people’s views are integral to the development of the residential provision. Weekly meetings and one-to-one sessions consistently provide young people with a voice regarding matters that are important to them. Young people benefit from the input of an independent advocate, who visits the home termly and spends time with all the young people. Contact details for the advocate are made available to young people so that they can contact them in between visits if required.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

A wide range of activities are available to the young people. These range from attending cadets, going to the cinema, on theatre trips and attending clubs, painting, sports and games in the grounds. While activities are planned in advance with young people, staff creatively adapt these plans if required. For some young people, the Education and residential inspection summary: Unsted Park School 7 to 9 November 2023 ability to participate in activities in the community, is a significant success and something they enjoy.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

The school meets all the national minimum standards .

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What is it like to stay at this school?

The inspectors did not make any recommendations to help the school improve.

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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/27/135419

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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/SC363144 Education and residential inspection summary: Unsted Park School 7 to 9 November 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?

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 .

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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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