INSPECTORS have praised a Yate special school where “positivity, acceptance and friendship shine through”.
Ofsted says Culverhill School, in Kelston Close, is ‘outstanding’ in every area: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development.
Inspectors from the education watchdog said the school, which educates pupils with a range of complex learning difficulties, has an outstanding curriculum and is “aspirational for all pupils”, who are extremely proud to go there.
Leaders say they are “thrilled” that the tireless efforts of staff, parents and governors have been recognised.
Ofsted visited the school, which has 147 pupils aged between seven and 16, during the summer for an extended two-day ‘graded’ inspection.
The inspectors said: “Culverhill is a school where positivity, acceptance and friendship shine through.
“Staff ensure that each pupil is at the core of everything they do, reflecting the school’s mantra of ‘inspire, nurture, thrive’.
“The warm and nurturing relationships between staff and pupils sit at the heart of the school’s success.
“Pupils are listened to. This develops a strong sense of community and keeps pupils safe.
“Pupils are extremely proud of their school and attend regularly.”
Pupils prepared for the world outside school
The inspectors said pupils’ behaviour is “exemplary”, in and out of class, adding: “They demonstrate high levels of respect and kindness towards one another.
“They accept each other’s differences. Pupils go out of their way to help and support friends experiencing challenges.”
The report said staff give pupils positions of responsibility, such as school councillors and eco-warriors, to help prepare them for the world outside school.
Pupils also learn a range of skills, such as travelling independently, home maintenance and cooking, as part of the curriculum.
They also go on residential trips and run coffee mornings.
The inspectors said: “All these activities help build pupils’ employability and increase their independence.
Careers information is also “impressively intertwined” with academic subjects, with work experience, visits and visitors planned.
The report said: “There is no ceiling on pupils’ aspirations. The school does all it can to encourage and develop pupils’ ambitions.”
Pupils at Culverhill School with head teacher Chris Walker and staff.
The report said the Enable Trust, which runs the school, and its staff are “unwavering in their determination to provide the very best learning experiences”.
Outstanding curriculum
Ofsted said: “Staff work tirelessly to ensure pupils’ needs are met well from the moment they start school.
“Developing pupils’ independence is carefully threaded throughout the curriculum.”
The “outstanding” curriculum is designed and developed based on pupils’ education, health and care plans, enabling them to “experience significant success” academically, socially and emotionally.
The inspectors said: “The school is not complacent in its continued drive for excellence.
“It leaves no stone unturned in finding ways to refine and tweak the already excellent provision.”
Ofsted said reading is central to the school curriculum, using phonics and carefully-chosen books to ensure all pupils become at least “functional” readers.
The inspectors said: “Pupils learn to read exceptionally well. They talk knowledgeably about their favourite authors and genres.”
The school provides “highly effective therapeutic provision” to help staff support pupils’ mental health and emotional well-being.
The inspectors said children consistently have positive attitudes and high levels of motivation, adding: “Parents are overwhelmingly happy with the school. They appreciate the outstanding education and care their children receive.”
‘We believe in the unique potential of each and every child’ – head
Ofsted published its report and new rating shortly before announcing that it would no longer make overall effectiveness judgements in inspections of state-funded schools.
At its previous visit to Culverhill in 2022 – the first since Enable Trust took over the school in 2018 – inspectors had recommended a more detailed visit, with a view to raising its earlier ‘good’ rating.
Head teacher Chris Walker said: “We believe in the unique potential of each and every child, and this recognition reflects the exceptional progress, care, curriculum offer and inclusive education we provide to meet the diverse needs of our pupils.
“We are thrilled inspectors recognised the strong relationships between staff and students and how our outstanding curriculum offer enables pupils to experience significant success academically, socially and emotionally.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful staff, parents and governors whose commitment and tireless efforts make our school a place where all children feel valued, happy and are given the opportunity to succeed.
“A special thank you to our young people who make our school such a wonderful place to work in!”
Chair of governors Neta Roylance-Smith said: “Culverhill at its core is about providing a safe, nurturing space for our amazing young people.
“I am very proud to be part of the Culverhill family, not only as a governor but as a parent of one of the pupils.
“Every time I arrive at school, I am greeted with the smiling faces from both staff and pupils. Every time I leave I have the widest smile and I’m filled with pride and joy!
“Chris and the whole team, including governors and trust members, are focused on what is truly important – the children.
“Thank you to the whole school community for your incredible contribution to this result.”