Compass Community School Mountfields Park

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 February 2024

Pupils are proud of their school. It is a haven. A place where pupils feel accepted, welcomed and part of a community. Pupils appreciate how every day is a fresh start. They learn to be optimistic and hopeful for their future. As one pupil told inspectors: 'Yesterday is the past, today is what we work on, and the future is the mystery.' Pupils strive to live up to the school's expectations for behaviour. Learning to manage emotions and developing life-long social skills are a key part of everyday life at this school. Adults support pupils to sensitively rebuild relationships. Pupils know that adults will listen to their worries and provide them with the support they need. They learn to consider the impact of their actions during the daily 'reflection sessions'. As a result, most pupils now choose to attend school. Pupils' attendance, over time, is improving. Adults celebrate pupils' individual successes. This builds pupils' self-esteem and confidence. Some pupils learn to make friendships, others muster up the courage to independently visit shops and pay for items. From producing music tracks reflecting pupils' own backgrounds and experiences to performing dances at local theatre companies, pupils' talents and interests are nurtured.

What the school should improve

• In mixed-age classes, the teaching strategies used are not as well developed as they could be. This slows down learning for some pupils. The school needs to evaluate its approach for mixed-aged classes so that teaching strategies used meet the needs of all pupils.
• The school's approach to careers and guidance is not yet fully developed. Therefore, the information and guidance pupils receive does not match the school's ambitions. The school needs to further develop its approach to careers guidance so that all pupils are well prepared for their future education, training or employment.

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