Mapledown School

101397 Unique Reference Number Barnet Local Authority 276509 Inspection number 11 °12 October 2005 Inspection dates Mike Smith 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 Community special School category 11 °19 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Ms Carol Heritty Chair Mr Steve Carroll Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Claremont Road School address Cricklewood London NW2 1TR

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02084554111 Telephone number 02084554895 Fax number

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11 °19 Age group 11 °12 October 2005 Inspection dates 276509 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

One additional inspector carried out the inspection.

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Description of the school

Mapledown is situated in the London Borough of Barnet and admits students aged 11-19 with severe and complex learning difficulties. There are currently sixty-one students on roll mainly from within the borough, although students from outside may be offered a place if they meet the admission criteria. Students remain at the school until the end of the school year in which they are 19.All students have a statement of special educational needs and just under a half of students are from different ethnic minority backgrounds. Nineteen students do not have English as their first language, five students are asylum seekers and the local authority looks after one student.

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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: Mapledown School, 11 °12 October 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Clearly identify the work to be done to meet strands of student health, safety, enjoyment, contributions to social and employment understanding in all curriculum planning.

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Grade:

The school monitors the quality of learning and teaching closely and provides appropriate support and professional development for continual improvement.Learning is excellent because teaching, support, behaviour management and the assessment of learners' needs and consequent planning, is also excellent. Detailed knowledge of learner's needs, excellent relationships, team work and good humour ensure that the learning environment is of the highest quality. Lessons are very well prepared and offer appropriate challenge and motivation to all learners. Excellent use is being made of ICT and other resources to effectively support students' learning and to stimulate interest in their work. Students are always treated with respect and dignity and they receive ongoing praise for all their attempts and achievement. Learning support assistants provide excellent help to student's learning and personal development needs.

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Grade:

The curriculum is excellent because it meets the needs of all learners and promotes their personal development really well. It is continually developing as learners' needs change and it gives an appropriate emphasis on student choice, communication, personal development and preparation for the next stage in their lives. Opportunities ensure that national requirements are met, as are the interests of the students. Post 14 and Post 16 provision provides an appropriate mix of core skills, personal development, work related opportunities, community involvement and the students understanding of life after school.Provision for literacy, numeracy, science, physical education, art and design, music and ICT is very good. In addition, there is an excellent range of activities available to students outside of lessons, including lunchtime and after school clubs at the adjacent secondary school. A useful audit of coverage in the areas of student health,

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Grade:

safety, enjoyment and their contributions to social and employment understanding has been undertaken. While coverage is secure, curriculum planning does not clearly identify these areas so that student progress and achievement can be more accurately monitored and recorded.Every minute is viewed as a learning opportunity for students and all adults give generously of their time to stimulate and support student communication, learning and progress. Students confirmed they liked the choices on offer. They particularly liked riding the bikes and go-carts at lunchtime 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Mapledown School, 11 °12 October 2005 and playing ball games in the extensive school grounds. The Asian film club and library activities are also popular.

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Grade:

Students are exceptionally well cared for and the school has a clear commitment to promoting learners' health and safety. Learners' personal development and academic progress is closely monitored and recorded and forms the basis of planning for their improvement. Staff are vigilant in their supervision of students and assessments of the risks to students when engaged in activities are rigorously attended to. Students report that they can go and talk to any adult if they have any concerns and they will be listened to. Child protection procedures are effectively established and the school effectively works with parents and other support agencies to ensure the ever-changing needs of learners are met. Learners and parents receive appropriate advice and support regarding future options and if appropriate joint visits are arranged to help ensure there is successful transition to provision after school.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Mapledown School, 11 °12 October 2005 .

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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: Mapledown School, 11 °12 October 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

As I promised you yesterday I am writing to let you know what I thought about my visit to your school. Thank you for being helpful to me and I would like to give special thanks to class 8 for talking to me and doing so well in your African dancing session. Well, I think your school is GREAT because:-* You all appear to make excellent progress in your personal targets.* I really enjoyed seeing your work and the progress you are making.* You enjoy coming to school and you have fun learning and being with your friends.* You like taking part in all activities and making choices.* You behave very well and get on very well with everyone.* Your personal needs are well met and you are supported really well by all the adults.* Your parents are very happy with what the school does for you.* You feel safe and are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully your school lunches will improve, but there will be no chips or burgers!* You support your friends and look after each other.* You are

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

listened to by adults if you are worried about anything.* Information and communication and technology (ICT) are used very well in lessons to support your learning.* All staff are very caring and have your best interests at heart. * The school knows what it is good at and what it needs to do to get even better. It has further improved since the last inspection and it continues to improve. Your school is aware of the need to further develop its curriculum planning and monitoring to include aspects of your health, safety, enjoyment, contributions and social and employment understanding. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Mapledown School, 11 °12 October 2005

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