Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit

Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit Newhaven Gardens, Eltham, Greenwich, London, SE9 6HR

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monitoring inspection report:

The inspection was carried out because concerns had been raised with Ofsted about standards of behaviour and the effectiveness of leadership and governance.

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monitoring inspection report:

During the focused monitoring inspection, inspectors considered the following evaluation areas:

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monitoring inspection report:

 Safeguarding  Leadership and governance  Attendance and behaviour

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Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.

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Leadership and governance

Leaders continue to provide stability for staff and pupils during a time of change. The school is a calm and inclusive environment. There are positive relationships between pupils and staff. Staff work increasingly well with parents and carers, engaging them in the school’s work through events such as coffee mornings.

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Leadership and governance

With support from the local authority and the management committee, leaders have made several improvements to the school. In addition to their work on behaviour, leaders have broadened the curriculum offer to include more vocational courses which better meet pupils’ needs. Leaders ensure that staff benefit from a comprehensive programme of professional development. Staff are highly positive about leaders’ development of an open- Monitoring Inspection report: Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit, 24 June 2026 2 door culture. Staff know that leaders trust and value them as professionals. Leaders prioritise staff workload and wellbeing and staff appreciate this.

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Leadership and governance

The local authority and the school’s management committee understand the challenges that leaders are facing. Those responsible for governance have taken some action to add leadership capacity, for example through the appointment of an additional pastoral team. That said, at times, the local authority and management committee would benefit from working together more cohesively and productively to oversee the school. The local authority and the management committee are taking action to resolve these issues in the best interests of all stakeholders.

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Attendance and behaviour

Since the school’s previous inspection, leaders have refined arrangements for behaviour management. This work was in response to an escalation in serious behaviour incidents. These had a negative impact on pupils’ learning and staff wellbeing. Leaders collaborated with staff and pupils to re-evaluate the school’s approach to managing behaviour. They have ensured that everyone understands the policy. Leaders check its consistent implementation. They track behaviour patterns and trends forensically. Leaders make suitable adaptations to help pupils who struggle to manage their behaviour. As a result of leaders’ work, there has been a significant reduction in behaviour incidents. Leaders’ positive analysis is confirmed by staff feedback across both sites. Staff cite huge improvements in pupils’ behaviour, enabling them to teach more effectively and without interruption.

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Attendance and behaviour

The school uses fixed-term suspensions appropriately. Leaders and staff are clear that suspensions can be used only as a last resort. In the best interests of pupils, the school does not permanently exclude.

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Additional next steps

Leaders and those responsible for governance must, in addition to the next steps raised at the school's last full inspection:

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Additional next steps

 Ensure that the local authority and those responsible for governance collaborate more effectively in their oversight of the school’s work and provide school leaders with consistently joined-up support and challenge. This includes ensuring that there is a current instrument of government in place for the pupil referral unit.

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About this inspection

This inspection was conducted under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005 and in accordance with Ofsted's published procedures for focused monitoring inspections. Monitoring Inspection report: Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit, 24 June 2026 3 The inspection team spoke to pupils, staff and leaders during the inspection. This included the acting headteachers and an assistant headteacher. The lead inspector also met with representatives from the local authority and some members of the management committee.

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About this inspection

There has been substantial change to the senior leadership team since the previous inspection.

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Social, emotional and mental health and autistic spectrum disorder Monitoring Inspection report: Newhaven Pupil Referral Unit, 24 June 2026 4 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 looked- after-children, safeguarding and child protection.

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

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