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02
May 2023
Knaresborough's Forest School 'requires improvement', says Ofsted
Knaresborough's Forest School 'requires improvement', Ofsted has said following a recent visit.
The special school, which has 136 pupils aged three to 16, was assessed by government inspectors following a two-day visit in February.
The report, published last week, rates the school 'good' for personal development and behaviour and attitudes. But it was graded 'requires improvement' for leadership and management and for overall effectiveness.
This was the school's first Ofsted inspection since it joined the Wellspring Academy Trust in April 2020. It was rated 'outstanding' in all areas in its final assessment under local authority control in 2015.
Inspectors this time praised the "caring, nurturing and welcoming environment", adding "pupils are taught how to stay safe and look after themselves" and "opportunities are provided for pupils to explore their interests such as catering, photography and the environment".
They said pupils enjoy attending and many parents, carers and students would recommend the school to others. Bullying is rare and "there is mutual respect between pupils and staff in and out of lessons".
But they added "some lessons are notably more productive and successful than others" and "leaders have more to do to ensure all pupils benefit from purposeful learning opportunities".
Major recent changes
The report highlights the school has undergone major changes lately. Besides joining a multi-academy trust, it appointed headteacher Shona Crichton in December last year and 40% of teaching and support staff are relatively new. It says:
The report says "the resources and materials that pupils access in lessons are not consistently ambitious" and consequently "some of pupils’ experiences in lessons contribute less well to their learning of the school’s curriculum".
The Stray Ferret asked the school if it wished to comment but did not receive a response.
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