Independent Maidenhead special school shows ‘deep understanding’ of pupils’ emotional needs, inspection finds

A special education school near Maidenhead has received a highly positive report following an inspection from the education watchdog.

Beech Lodge School, in Stubbings Lane, caters for children aged seven to 18 years with additional needs including social and emotional difficulties linked to trauma.

Being an independent school, it was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). A four-strong team of inspectors visited over the course of three days.

No overall grade is given under the watchdog’s new framework – which is also true of Ofsted, following controversy surrounding these overall ratings.

Instead, the ISI report was full of praise for how the school runs and the priorities it holds.

The school ‘very successfully combines education and care’ and is based on a ‘deep understanding’ of pupils’ emotional needs, ISI found – and this is ‘a significant strength’.

Beech Lodge said it was particularly pleased with this, as it is ‘a rare accolade’ and the school is ‘one of only a handful of schools’ to have one of these ‘significant’ strengths’, it said.

Personal development, behaviour and anti-bullying

Staff support pupils ‘with understanding and care’ which allows them to regulate their own behaviour’, ISI said, developing respect for themselves and others.

“The focus on supporting pupils’ personal development provides a stepping stone to strong academic achievement,” the report says.

Behaviour is recorded ‘extensively’, which enables the safeguarding team to spot any patterns and respond quickly.

Staff ‘know the pupils and their families well’ and are ‘alert to any changes in pupil’s behaviour, both verbal and non-verbal signals, allowing staff to respond appropriately to any concerns.

The school’s anti-bullying policies ‘articulate clearly’ the school’s expectations and are ‘implemented well.’

Pupils are not allowed to use phones in school, which reduces the possibility of online bulling. Students also learn how they can be safer online.

Students are ‘well-prepared’ for their next steps in life and society.

Curriculum, learning and progress

The curriculum is ‘adapted effectively’ to meet pupils’ individual needs, and progress in all subjects is ‘meticulously recorded’. Detailed reviews for pupils take place regularly.

Teachers use a ‘wide range’ of specialist resources, including sensory fidget toys, wobble chairs and tactile equipment.

The school offers ‘well-planned’ PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) and relationships and sex education (RSE), adapted to take pupils’ needs into account.

Leadership and communication

The school’s proprietor and leaders ‘have a clear vision’ based on the principles of inclusion and a ‘deep understanding of emotional development’, the report states.

Communication within leadership is ‘comprehensive and effective’ and leaders continually seek to improve the school.

Pupils are able to put forward their ideas and contribute to decision-making.

Parents are also kept up to speed with how children are doing via a number of mechanisms.

Following the inspection, the school said it was ‘delighted’ that the inspectors were able to fully understand what it offers. Headteacher Dan Gillespie said:

“[This result] is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our entire school community and is something we can all be very proud of.”