AN IPSWICH special school has been praised by inspectors in a report published today. Belstead School, in Sprites Lane, in the Chantry area of Ipswich was visited by Office of Standards in Education (OfSTED) inspectors at the end of September.
AN IPSWICH special school has been praised by inspectors in a report published today.
Belstead School, in Sprites Lane, in the Chantry area of Ipswich was visited by Office of Standards in Education (OfSTED) inspectors at the end of September.
The secondary school, which teaches children aged 11-19 with severe learning difficulties, was praised for its music and art teaching as well as its care for its 70 pupils.
The report said: “The flair with which music and art are taught shows that confidence in teaching these subjects leads into activities which are relevant and exciting for pupils.
“Lively and skills music and art teaching realises exceptionally high expectations and achievement is remarkable.”
The school, which includes a number of children with additional needs such as autism or other profound learning difficulties, was also praised for its care, guidance and support.
The report said: “Effective support is given to pupils with communication difficulties. It (the school) is effective in managing pupils' behaviour, which, for a significant proportion, is very challenging. Pupils learn and develop in an environment that is calm and orderly.
“Leadership and management are satisfactory. The headteacher gives the school adequate direction and sets sound expectations in relation to meeting the needs of pupils. This achieves satisfactory value for money.
“A reasonably effective distribution of responsibilities across the school means pupils are kept safe and encouraged to be healthy.”
However, the report said the school needs to increase the “scope and rigour” in monitoring and evaluating the school's work.
The report added: “The recording of pupil's progress is uneven across the school. It is rigorous only in some subjects and classrooms.”
Headteacher Sue Chesworth said: “We have made significant progress since the last report and this report provides us with a clear framework for future improvement.”
Do you have a child at Belstead School? What do you think of the OfSTED report? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
WEBLINK:
www.belstead.suffolk.sch.uk
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