Linden Bridge School

125475 Unique Reference Number Surrey LEA LEA 281942 Inspection number 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005 Inspection dates Melvyn Blackband AI Reporting inspector

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

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Grafton Road School address Special Type of school Worcester Park Community special School category Surrey KT4 7JW 4 to 19 Age range of pupils 02083303009 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 02083306811 Fax number 116 Number on roll Mr Christopher Mapleton Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Ronwen Smith Headteacher 15 May 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 281942 6 October 2005 - 4 to 19 7 October 2005 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 an additional inspector

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Description of the school

Linden Bridge is a special school for pupils with autistic spectrum difficulties. All pupils have statements of special educational needs. Pupils in the upper part of the school are able to make use of boarding facilities. There are currently no pupils for whom English is a second language. The numbers of pupils who receive free school meals is fewer than in most schools. The school has a stable staff and the headteacher was in post during the previous inspection.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Linden Bridge School, 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school which has maintained the exemplary standards noted at the last inspection and which continually strives to improve the provision for all its learners. Pupils love coming to school and parents are very pleased with the progress they make. All pupils do well in their studies and make outstanding progress in their personal development. Children aged four make a very good start because of the high quality of teaching and record keeping. The staff are very well led by the headteacher who provides a clear vision for the continuing development of the school. She is well supported by an extremely competent and enthusiastic senior management team. The senior staff have accurately evaluated strengths through formal and more informal checks and have planned well for improvements. These checks could be more efficiently incorporated into a systematic framework. The school's finances are well managed

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Grade: 1

and the school's daily routines are efficient.

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Grade: 1

Students in the Further Education Department (FED) are getting a high quality education. They are particularly well prepared for leaving school. The students benefit from well organised vocational programmes and are able to apply their studies effectively to gain experiences which will help them to make a positive contribution to society. Students, for example run a successful 'cafe', making and preparing refreshments such as cakes, tea and coffee and waiting at tables. Students have also co-operated in building very 'alternative' motor bikes which have won several awards at the National Bike Competition. The students' personal development is exceptionally good. Their independence skills are strongly promoted within an adult atmosphere which encourages mature behaviour. Good teaching results in students reaching their potential through a range of nationally accredited courses. Leadership and management

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Grade: 1

of the department are outstanding. There is a very clear vision of how the department can develop and organisation is very good.

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Grade: 1

Boarding provision in both the main school and the FED building is very good. The provision is managed exceptionally well and regular inspections confirm that most aspects of the facility are generally above the national minimum standards. Staff ensure that pupils are safe while at the same time they encourage the pupils to take as much responsibility for looking after their personal needs as they can manage. All pupils over the age of nine are included in the opportunities to board and they greatly enjoy the experience. There is a suitable emphasis on independence and life skills training. Pupils and students are taken out into the community regularly. Boarding provision for post-16 students has been very effectively incorporated into aspects of school work, leading to a recognised qualification in the use of leisure time. 2 Inspection Report: Linden Bridge School, 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Extend provision in the pupils' personal, health and social education to incorporate national standards in healthy eating

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Grade: 1

Achievement and standards The school has very good strategies for measuring and recording the progress which pupils make. Because of this teachers are able to ensure that learning targets for each pupil are realistic and challenging. As a result the pupils make very good progress. Senior staff collect appropriate data on each child's performance. This is compared nationally with similar schools and forms the basis for detailed evaluation. The results show that pupils, many of whom enter the school with low levels of attainment, continue to make progress in each stage of their education, culminating in the success of pupils and students at Key Stage 4 and post 16 who gain a wide range of qualifications up to GCSE level. Detailed scrutiny of evidence shows no evidence of under-achievement by any group or individual.

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Grade: 1

Pupils and students are exceptionally well behaved. This reflects the school's very strong management of behaviour and the emphasis on moral and social values. There is very good provision for the pupils' spiritual development and to teach pupils about other cultures. Many examples were seen during the inspection of pupils' consideration for others. The school has a calm atmosphere and pupils work and socialise happily because they are always made aware of what is expected of them, often reinforced by visual clues. Pupils feel safe and report no bullying or intimidation. There is a very good programme to teach pupils about 'sex and relationships' and the dangers of drugs and substance abuse. The school is aware of the need to further promote healthy eating. Pupils have many opportunities to make their views known. The school council is flourishing and pupils' concerns are listened to and acted on by school staff. There

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Grade: 1

is a very effective link with the Surrey Children's Rights Officer who helps promote the pupils' choices and independence. Attendance is very good and close to that found in mainstream schools.

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Grade: 1

There are some outstanding features of teaching and learning. Teachers plan well and make very good use of their knowledge of the pupils' progress to pay close attention to individual pupils' needs and pupils are encouraged to work as independently as possible. The staff form exceptionally good classroom teams, working well together 3 Inspection Report: Linden Bridge School, 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005 and sharing responsibility. All staff have been well trained in aspects of teaching pupils with autism and display consistently high levels of skill, for instance in their sensitive use of visual clues and symbols. This level of expertise enables teachers to ensure that their pupils work with high levels of concentration and to make sure they enjoy their lessons and achieve success, generally free from the frustrations and anxieties which their disability often brings. Parents can help their children learn through the well

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Grade: 1

Pupils enjoy well constructed, relevant and interesting activities which are carefully matched to their needs. There are outstanding curriculum programmes for post-16 students to introduce them to the world of work. The staff are exceptionally skilled in using specialised teaching techniques to support the pupils through the barriers to learning which autism creates. The school is very well served by the Speech and Language service which works well in partnership with staff to identify specific language targets for the pupils. There is a wide range of activities which take pupils out of the classroom, teaching them that new things can be learned in all sorts of situations. The very high quality extra provision for art and music has enabled pupils to achieve exceptionally well in these subjects.

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Grade: 1

The school is safe for pupils. Health and safety requirements are rigorously monitored. The school cares very well for the pupils' welfare and this makes a significant contribution to their enjoyment and achievement in school. Child protection procedures are very well managed and staff training is appropriately and regularly updated. There are good procedures to counter any racial incidents. Pupils receive good support in improving their work and overcoming their difficulties. They receive very effective careers advice and are given tremendous support when they leave the school through the exemplary procedures for their transition to college life.

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Grade: 1

The leadership and management of the school are exceptionally strong. The headteacher shows outstanding leadership through her commitment to her staff and pupils and her determination to maintain the highest standards of teaching and care. She is supported by a highly skilled and committed senior team. Managers work closely with various groups of staff and pupils and they monitor, evaluate and strive to improve on every aspect of the school's performance. This has produced a significant and positive impact on pupils' achievement. Communication within the school is excellent. Staff are fully consulted and feel involved and valued. The quality of professional training is excellent. Governors play an important role in development. They regularly 4 Inspection Report: Linden Bridge School, 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005 monitor aspects of teaching and pupils' learning and provide both challenge and support for the headteacher and senior staff. Parents feel very well informed, although

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Grade: 1

the school accepts the need to regularly monitor the effectiveness of communication, particularly with new parents.The school is in a very good condition to maintain its improvement. Senior staff are exceptionally well informed about the school's performance and they continually and successfully evaluate every aspect of their work. The managers of the school are aware of the benefits of rationalising their evaluations into a more systematic framework. 5 Inspection Report: Linden Bridge School, 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005 .

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set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s

website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Linden Bridge School, 6 October 2005 to 7 October 2005

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Overall

Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

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learners?

1 1 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 1 The quality and standards in foundation stage 1 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation Yes Yes The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

1 1 How well do learners achieve? 1 1 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

1 1 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 1 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The behaviour of learners 1 The attendance of learners 1 How well learners enjoy their education 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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needs and interests of learners?

1 1 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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needs and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low.

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and supporting all learners?

1 1 How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets, through quality assurance and self-review How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can How effectively and efficiently resources are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Yes The adequacy and suitability of staff to ensure that learners are protected

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The extent to which schools enable learners to be healthy

Yes Learners are encouraged and enabled to eat and drink healthily Yes Learners are encouraged and enabled to take regular exercise Yes Learners are discouraged from smoking and substance abuse Yes Learners are educated about sexual health

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The extent to which providers ensure that learners stay safe

Yes Procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements Yes Risk assessment procedures and related staff training are in place Yes Action is taken to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as bullying and racism Yes Learners are taught about key risks and how to deal with them

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The extent to which learners make a positive contribution

Yes Learners are helped to develop stable, positive relationships Yes Learners, individually and collectively, participate in making decisions that affect them Yes Learners are encouraged to initiate, participate in and manage activities in school and the wider community

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The extent to which schools enable learners to achieve economic well-being

Yes There is provision to promote learners’ basic skills Yes Learners have opportunities to develop enterprise skills and work in teams Yes Careers education and guidance is provided to all learners in key stage 3 and 4 and the sixth form Yes Education for all learners aged 14–19 provides an understanding of employment and the economy

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Not long ago I came to your school to have a look at how well you were getting on and whether there was anything I could suggest to make the school better. You made me very welcome and I enjoyed your company. Well done and thankyou!I was with you for two days. That was long enough for me to realise that Linden Bridge is an excellent school. One of the reasons for that is because you are so well behaved and keen to learn. I especially enjoyed my cup of tea in the café with the FED students. There are a lot of other things that I liked. Here are a few. * I can 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 grow up and become independent* In the FED part of the school you are learning a lot about life and work.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

This will help you when you leave school. One of the things that I felt would make the school better is if staff helped you to eat more healthy things at dinnertime and maybe not so many chips!!

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