A pupil referral unit in Harrogate which helps students get back into education has won praise from Ofsted inspectors.
Springwell Harrogate – previously known as The Grove Academy – received a ‘good’ rating in its latest report from the schools watchdog.
Inspectors referred to the “strides” taken by students after starting at Springwell, often following a period out of education. They said:
“While at the school, pupils develop their self-esteem, confidence and sense of purpose. Their time at the school has a tremendously positive effect on them.
“For example, many become more engaged in their education. Pupils told inspectors that the school had ‘turned them around’. One parent, echoing the views of others, described the school as a ‘lifeline’ for their youngster.”
The report said the unit, which takes students aged 11 to 16, helped to develop an interest in reading, in other cultures and in their own future careers.
However, it added that the curriculum is most effective for those who are at the school for short periods and less strong for those who are there for more than a year. Inspectors recommended doing more to deepen the curriculum for those staying longer.
They also suggested building on teaching of vocabulary to enable pupils to improve their use and understanding of language.
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Inspectors highlighted the “dramatic” improvement in some pupils’ attendance after staff worked “tirelessly” to encourage them.
They added:
“Since the previous inspection, there have been significant changes at the school, including to the staffing structure. Several new methods for working with pupils have been introduced.
“New leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils and are determined that they succeed in their next steps. Most pupils move back to their original school or to appropriate settings, including college.
“Pupils join having missed large amounts of their schooling and lacking in motivation. The curriculum reignites pupils’ interest in learning.
“It enables pupils to fill some of the gaps they have in reading, writing, mathematics and science.
“The ‘experiential learning programme’ develops pupils’ physical fitness as well as broadening their knowledge of the world around them.”
‘Positive difference’
According to Ofsted, all of Springwell’s 29 pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities and five have education, health and care plans. It takes students from across the Harrogate area.
The school has welcomed the new report, which comes after a difficult two years. Executive principal Scott Jacques said:
“Everybody at Springwell Harrogate is pleased with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection and that the school has been recognised as good in all areas.
“The school was under threat of closure when it joined the Wellspring Academy Trust in April 2020, and the report notes the considerable change that the academy has been through since then, which has secured its future.
“We are particularly pleased with the fact that inspectors acknowledge the positive difference Springwell Harrogate makes to the lives and educational journey of the young people with whom we work.
“We would like to thank the pupils for their engagement and positive attitudes and also their parents and carers for their continued support in working with us. We also thank all staff involved for their daily dedication and hard work, and the governing body for backing the vision of the academy.”
