Benjamin College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 December 2024

Pupils benefit from attending Benjamin College. They flourish because of the positive relationships they rapidly build with staff. Pupils value that their views and choices are heard and acted on. Staff take the time to know what each pupil needs. This includes information from the specialist checks made on pupils when they arrive. Consequently, staff put in place the most precise and effective help for pupils. Most pupils have had low school attendance before they join here. They have also experienced traumatic and challenging experiences. This means that pupils are often not ready to learn or receive therapeutic support. There are high expectations that pupils will leave here well prepared for what comes next. Therefore, the school has taken an approach to achieve 'therapeutic alliance' for pupils. This step-by-step and sequenced approach helps pupils to be ready to access the psychotherapy and learning they need for future success. Pupils appreciate their 'diversion' activities, which include bowling, studio music recording, dance clubs, army cadets and horse riding. These activities capture the individual talents and interests of pupils. They also help pupils to positively engage with the school and develop their social and interpersonal skills.

What the school should improve

• The school's approach to teaching early reading does not meet the needs of all pupils. This means that, currently, a small group of pupils do not yet have the secure phonics knowledge to access the broader curriculum. Leaders should continue their work to put in place a system which will help all pupils to be confident and fluent readers.
• The school's assessment process does not robustly check how well pupils are learning. Subsequently, pupils are not progressing as well as they could through the entire curriculum. The school should ensure that teachers know how to precisely identify pupils' knowledge gaps so they can provide accurate support in order to close them.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)