Setting

Mr Trevor Sykes Headteacher Malden Oaks PRU The Dukes Centre Dukes Avenue, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 5QY

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 3 December 2008, to look at work on developing the future economic well-being of students in your PRU and careers education.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions, but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included: an interview with the headteacher and several members of the teaching staff, a meeting with a group of students and a review of documentation.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

Overall, your work in developing the future economic well-being of students in your school is outstanding. Students demonstrate, by using their active involvement in lessons and other activities, a strongly developing self-confidence that empowers them to use their initiative. They learn very well how to deal with change, and to be creative in their thinking, bold enough to take well judged risks, and rational in their decision-making. Through their work experience and other contact with employers, older students also develop a very good understanding of the disciplines required by the workplace.

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Features of effective practice:

 Progression is outstanding. All students leave with a place in education or a job placement.

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Features of effective practice:

 The curriculum is outstanding. The rich variety of interesting and creative learning opportunities enables staff to plan and implement programmes which are tailored to students' individual needs. Personal, health, social and emotional education is given a high profile and is thoughtfully designed to involve each student. It successfully Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE Textphone 0161 618 8524 T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0207 421 5642 Direct F 0207 421 6746 Mark.Hogan@ofsted.gov.uk reinforces work-related skills such as regular attendance, and adopting a positive attitude to new challenges.

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Features of effective practice:

 Leadership and management at all levels are outstanding. The headteacher is a member of the local authority’s 14-19 strategy team and this helps the school to continue to develop the already excellent provision. Very good progress has been made in addressing the recommendations of the previous inspection report. The standard and level of service received from the Connexions service is monitored very effectively.

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Features of effective practice:

 Students are well prepared for their future economic well-being. This includes good careers advice and effective support to improve literacy and numeracy skills.

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Areas for further improvement, which we discussed, include:

 Access to practical work experience placements is limited and there are too few opportunities for students to gain practical work experience.

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Areas for further improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop economic well-being in the PRU.

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Areas for further improvement, which we discussed, include:

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

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