Children's Hospital School at Gt Ormond Street and UCH

Childrens Hospital at Great Ormond Street and UCH Inspection report

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100060 Unique Reference Number Camden Local Authority 276246 Inspection number 9 March 2006 Inspection date Melvyn Blackband Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Special Type of school Foundation School category 4 °16 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Andrew Fane Chair Mrs Yvonne Hill Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Great Ormond Street School address GOS Hospital for Children London WC1N 3JH

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02078138269 Telephone number 02078138269 Fax number

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4 °16 Age group 9 March 2006 Inspection date 276246 Inspection number .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The Children µs Hospital School is a Foundation special school. It works in close partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and with the recently opened and rebuilt University College Hospital (UCH). The schoolµs management has responsibility for education on both sites. The actual roll of the school varies. Some pupils remain long term patients while others attend for short periods of time. The learners have a spectrum of medical and sometimes complex mental health needs. Pupils arrive at the school with a wide range of ability, from pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties to those deemed gifted and talented.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Childrens Hospital at Great Ormond Street and UCH, 9 March 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Continue to work with the Hospital Trust to improve the accommodation.

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Grade:

Teaching at both sites is characterised by very high expectations and richly stimulating activities. As a result of highly effective teaching which ensures that the needs of every pupil are fully met, all learners, including those in the Foundation Stage, make excellent progress and enjoy their work. They are encouraged to be as independent as possible. Teachers display extremely high levels of skill and subject knowledge. They teach with enthusiasm and flair, using questions very well to constantly check pupils µ understanding. Teamwork is very good and competent classroom assistants provide excellent support. Pupils consequently receive a very high standard of personal tuition. Assessment is a strength. Teachers very quickly establish the appropriate levels at which to pitch the pupilsµ work. For instance, a Year 7 boy with complex needs, in his very first lesson in the schoolroom, made excellent progress in identifying musical rhythms,

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Grade:

through the teacherµs knowledge of the subject and her skilful assessment of the pupilµs attainment. Teachers create specific programmes for each pupil, which are closely monitored and refined to take account of every step in the pupilsµ progress.

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Grade:

At all levels the curriculum is broad and balanced and extremely well adapted to the individual needs of learners. Programmes for each pupil are rigorously monitored by senior staff. Foundation Stage pupils have considerable opportunities to direct their learning through play and the post 16 pupil is being successfully taught to GCSE ´Aµ level standard. There is a very strong emphasis on communication skills throughout the age range, coupled with very good learning in literacy and numeracy. Many teachers are specialists and they, together with visiting professionals, deliver an exceptionally rich and varied curriculum. During the inspection, for example, pupils were taught cooking skills by a visiting chef of international reputation. Since pupils cannot leave the hospital, teachers ensure that they gain understanding of the world through the contribution of visitors and through access to the internet. The high quality

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Grade:

provision for personal, social and health education has a significant impact in developing the pupilsµ knowledge of personal safety and the advantages of a healthy lifestyle. The use of ICT to support the pupilsµ learning is exemplary and the school leads national development, in hospital schools, in the use of appropriate technology. Accommodation at University College 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Childrens Hospital at Great Ormond Street and UCH, 9 March 2006 Hospital (UCH) and in some teaching areas at Great Ormond Street is very good but the main teaching room and storage facilities remain only satisfactory.

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Grade:

Parents recognise that the school provides an exceptionally safe and caring environment for pupils. Child protection procedures are very secure and there is rigorous monitoring of risk assessment and adults µ access to children. Pupils make very good progress in learning about their personal safety and well being. Liaison with the pupilsµ base schools is a particular strength, since this establishes very good communication and support for pupils as they return to their schools and enables the hospital schools to maintain continuity in the pupilsµ education whilst they are undergoing treatment. Pupils are aware and proud of the progress they are making. Teachers ensure they achieve success in meeting challenging targets. Parents confirm that communication with school is excellent and that they and their children are extremely well informed about progress. There are very good procedures to involve pupils in their own learning

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Childrens Hospital at Great Ormond Street and UCH, 9 March 2006 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Childrens Hospital at Great Ormond Street and UCH, 9 March 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Not long ago we came to your school to have a look at how well you were getting on and whether there was anything we could suggest to make the school better. You made us very welcome and we enjoyed your company. Well done and thank you! I was with you for two days and my colleague was here for one day. That was long enough for us to realise that while you are in Great Ormond Street Hospital or University College Hospital, you are getting an excellent education. One of the reasons for that is because you are so keen to learn. We especially enjoyed meeting some of you and watching you work. There are a lot of other things that we liked. Here are a few. * We could see that you enjoy your lessons and do very well.* There are many different people working in the school and they are all doing their best to look after you and help you learn.* You are made to do as much as you can for yourselves. This is helping you to become

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

independent.* Teachers help you to return quickly to your normal school after your treatment.One of the things that I felt would make the school better is if there was a bit more room for you to work in the classroom at Great Ormond Street. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Childrens Hospital at Great Ormond Street and UCH, 9 March 2006

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