Brantwood Garden School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 July 2025

The school has a friendly and tranquil environment. Both pupils and staff enjoy its community feel and the opportunities for outdoor learning, that are provided by the spacious and well-maintained grounds. The school's approach emphasises developing the whole individual. This is reflected in its 'hands, head, heart' approach to education. All pupils engage in practical learning, such as making jewellery and stained glass or, when on the farm, tending to animals or working in the forge. In addition to pupils learning new skills, this enables them to contextualise what they learn in other subjects. For example, by applying their knowledge of mathematics and geometry. Pupils enjoy their learning largely and achieve well. Most pupils join the school at varying times during the academic year. Some do so after periods of time out of education or disrupted past experiences. Staff work to get to know pupils quickly. They understand the importance of forming positive relationships. These support pupils to be confident in lessons and to realise the schools' expectations. Consequently, pupils are able to engage more fully in their learning. Pupils feel secure to discuss their concerns with staff, trusting that they will act to resolve these.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes, pupils are not provided with sufficient opportunities to consolidate their learning. Where this happens, pupils do not consistently develop a secure understanding of what they have been taught and sometimes struggle to recall this in future lessons. The school should ensure that approaches to teaching reinforce the most important knowledge and skills, enabling pupils to learn these securely.
• Initial attendance gains when pupils join the school are not built on consistently. Too many pupils are regularly absent. These pupils miss important learning and develop gaps in their understanding. The school should ensure that its attendance strategy is securely embedded and that its work results in sustained improvements in pupils' attendance.
• Some pupils' understanding of aspects of the PSHE curriculum, including their knowledge of other cultures and faiths, is inconsistent. This means that these pupils lack a detailed understanding of others in society with different experience to themselves. The school should ensure that pupils develop a secure understanding of the curriculum, including other faiths and cultures, to better prepare them for life in modern Britain.

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