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05
Jul 2024
Additional needs school improves Ofsted rating
An additional needs school near Harrogate has been rated 'good' by Ofsted after receiving an 'inadequate' rating at its previous inspection.
Forest Moor School has been praised for its treatment of pupils with complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, with inspectors describing the environment as "nurturing" and the staff as understanding their students' needs "extremely well".
Before converting to an academy in July 2021, the precursor to the school was rated 'inadequate'.
The report notes the shift in staff attitude since then, saying they have "raised standards and expectations" and now feel "proud [of]" and "invested in" the school.
Inspectors highlight the rapport between staff and students, saying:
Pupils place trust in the adults around them. Bullying can happen at the school. However, most pupils have confidence that staff will resolve it quickly.
The report notes that SEMH targets are central to the curriculum. It finds "all students leave with a qualification," allowing them to secure independent futures in education and employment.
Outdoor learning is available, enabling pupils to care for the school's animals. It caters to their needs; they can "increase or decrease energy levels" and "talk to staff about their day".
Forest Moor School "ensure that a calm and caring approach is the basis of any interventions". Staff are described as "highly trained" and the school as having "well-established systems" in place.
All pupils recieve a personalised education, health, and care plan, which is valued by parents.
But the school is not without fault. Inspectors say some students "do not close gaps in learning rapidly enough" due to the school not clarifying "the most important knowledge". They suffer "attendance figures [that] are lower than the national and local averages."
Headmaster Dave Roberts told the Stray Ferret:
The school has a long history of underperformance which, thanks to the hard work of all the team at Forest Moor and support from the Trust, is now behind us.
We are delighted with the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection, which recognises Forest Moor School’s substantial progress since joining the Wellspring Academy Trust three years ago.
However, this is just the beginning. We look forward to further developing our new school farm, increasing our engagement with the local community and continuing to make this school a beacon of excellence for children with SEMH needs in North Yorkshire.
Together, we are committed to continuing this journey of improvement, ensuring that every pupil at Forest Moor School receives the best possible education and support. Thank you to everyone involved for making this possible.
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