Education-My Life Matters

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 April 2024

Education-My Life Matters (EMLM) is not your usual school. It is small and caters for pupils for whom mainstream schools are not currently suitable. Some pupils have been out of education for long stretches or have moved schools many times. What binds them together is their positive take on EMLM. They said that the school is 'alright' but quickly qualified this and explained that it helps them to move to a better place in their lives. All are pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school's success lies in helping each pupil understand what they can do to overcome the challenges they face, whether academic, emotional or social. For some, this means returning to mainstream school after six weeks and completing their GCSEs. For others, coming to school regularly, learning how to manage their behaviour or getting an apprenticeship are significant achievements. All pupils spoken to said that they felt safe at the school. Many said there was no bullying and although some felt it did happen occasionally, they were confident that it would be sorted out successfully. Pupils' upbeat views have much to do with the school's safe and secure environment. Pupils trust staff and feel that they can talk to them. They know that they are respected and that the school will work with them in a way that is sensitive and responsive.

What the school should improve

• In a few cases, the work given to pupils does not routinely take their learning forward as much as it should. For example, it unnecessarily repeats work already covered in primary school. Although it is important for some pupils to repeat important ideas and topics, the work set for them also needs to be consistently aspirational. The school needs to ensure that the work for all pupils is suitably ambitious regardless of their starting points.

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