An independent special school in South Cumbria has been rated as outstanding after an inspection.
Underley Garden, in Kirkby Lonsdale, caters for students aged five to 19 with autism and learning difficulties.
Ofsted inspectors visited the school in April and have just published their report and said it was outstanding in all areas.
The inspectors said: “Leaders and staff share a strong determination that all pupils will achieve their very best. This ambition is realised. Pupils flourish at this welcoming, happy and successful school.
“Underley Garden School is like a caring family. Pupils benefit from the warm and friendly relationships that they have with staff. New pupils settle very quickly,
making friends. They love spending time with the teachers’ dogs, Maggie, Dora, Molly and Ollie.”
Part of specialist provider Options Autism, the school has 72 pupils. It wants to increase that number to 96. Inspectors said it had taken effective steps to make that happen.
Inspectors found that pupils thrived academically and personally while at the school and added: “Staff provide just the right balance of nurture and challenge to ensure that pupils make rapid gains in their self-esteem and confidence. Leaders make every effort to prepare pupils for the adult world.
“Leaders have designed a broad, enjoyable and carefully considered curriculum. Pupils’ learning is broken down into small, logical steps by skilled staff. Staff ensure that pupils have plenty of opportunities to revisit and secure earlier learning. For example, in mathematics, staff make sure that pupils learn and revisit important
number facts. From their varied starting points, pupils thrive and achieve very well.”
They described classrooms as a hive of learning activity.
Inspectors said: “When pupils join the school, a team of therapists work closely with staff, parents and carers to precisely identify pupils’ individual social, emotional and learning needs. Leaders develop detailed support programmes for each pupil and staff are highly skilled in ensuring that the curriculum is carefully tailored to each pupil’s needs.”
April Boyd, headteacher, said: “I am so proud of the staff and pupils. Everything we do at Underley is centred around the children; we want them to be happy in their learning environment and ensure they are building their knowledge and skills to support them in their next steps.
“This outcome is an accolade to what we do; the dedication and hard work of the staff, the commitment and resilience of the children and the support of the parent and carers. It is a privilege to lead such an amazing group of people and we look forward to continuing our journey.”
