Setting

Ofsted subject survey: identifying good practice for pupils with

learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Ofsted subject survey: identifying good practice for pupils with

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and for that of your staff, parents, pupils and local authority officers during my visit on Friday 11 January 2008 to look at work of the Scallywags project.

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Ofsted subject survey: identifying good practice for pupils with

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. If information from the visit is used for subsequent exemplar materials individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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Ofsted subject survey: identifying good practice for pupils with

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included: interviews with teaching staff and local authority officers, meetings with parents and pupils, scrutiny of documents and observation of practice. It was noted during the visit that the school has a relatively small number of pupils with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties (BESD), but that these pupils have quite complex needs.

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Features of good practice observed

 Open and supportive communication between the school and parents is helping the project to operate successfully and promoting the inclusion of pupils with BESD.  A clear methodology underpins the work of Scallywags which maximises the efficiency and impact of the project. An individual programme is tailored to the needs of each pupil and family, with support thoughtfully targeted. Progress is carefully monitored using recognised materials for measuring pupils’ behavioural, emotional and social development.  Clear referral and assessment procedures involving close collaboration with a range of professionals from different agencies ensure families are selected appropriately. Parents understand the commitment they need to make and as a result almost all complete the 6 months intervention programme. Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404045 F 020 7421 6855 www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Features of good practice observed

Mr A West Headteacher Bosvigo School Chapel Hill Truro Cornwall TR1 3BJ  The success of Scallywags is strengthened by the skills and training of the staff engaged in the project which helps establish credibility with both schools and parents.  Thorough evaluation of the project shows impressive long term gains in pupils’ emotional and behavioural development and in their performance in school. Parents and pupils also feel they have benefited from the work of the project.  Parents particularly appreciate the practical and ‘empowering’ nature of the support they are given which is backed up by a good range of accessible resources.  The management of the project is excellent. Intervention is time-limited to maximise the impact of resources and to prevent the development of long term dependency.

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Area for development

 parents and carers valued participating in the group meetings held together with other parents facing similar issues. Consider continuing the success of this aspect of Scallywags’ work by establishing arrangements for parents to maintain contact and continue mutual support after their direct involvement with the project has finished.

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Area for development

I hope these observations are useful for the continued to development of the project.

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Area for development

As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on Ofsted’s website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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