Bladon House School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 July 2023

Pupils love attending this caring and supportive school. Parents and carers say that their children are safe and happy at the school. Many say that the care their children receive is exceptional. One parent reflected the views of the others when they said, 'My daughter's life has been transformed since starting at Bladon House.' Staff know the pupils well. Relationships are very positive. Pupils know staff will support them to learn and keep them safe. All the staff at the school are highly trained. They are very skilled in meeting the complex needs of the children. Staff support pupils to understand and manage their emotions. They help pupils to adapt to change and interact positively with each other. They also help pupils to understand their own needs and those of others. As a result, pupils' behaviour improves dramatically as they settle into the school. Pupils are polite and considerate and welcoming to visitors. Pupils engage well with their learning. The personal development of pupils is excellent. School leaders have high ambitions for all pupils and provide them with experiences that prepare them well for their next steps. Pupils benefit from high-quality pastoral care and therapeutic support.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not ensured that the key knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn on the 'Open Skies' pathway are clearly identified. As a result, staff do not always plan lessons that deliver the most important knowledge and skills that pupils need to know and remember. Leaders should ensure that all teachers understand what knowledge and skills they need to teach and assess on this pathway.
• Leaders have not assured themselves that teachers are using assessment processes accurately to assess pupils' 'learning intentions' in the 'New Horizons' pathway. As a result, teachers do not always provide pupils with exactly the right next steps. Leaders should ensure that all assessment leads to accurate next steps being identified for pupils. Furthermore, leaders should assure themselves that all staff know how to assess accurately pupils' success in achieving their 'learning intentions'.

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