Gloucester House, The Tavistock Children's Day Unit

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 July 2025

Pupils are well supported by a team of staff made up of both education and health professionals. These adults work collaboratively to ensure that pupils' special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well understood and effectively met. Over the last year, the school has re-evaluated its curriculum and approach to pupils' behaviour. It has set high expectations and pupils are rising to these. Pupils join this school after difficult experiences in other settings. Many have been out of school for some time. In this school, they develop positive relationships with staff. Over time, pupils learn to trust staff and understand and manage their emotions and behaviour. The school ensures that pupils have opportunities to experience a range of leisure and enrichment activities, including through 'well-being Fridays'. On Friday afternoons, pupils from different classes enjoy a variety of sporting or craft activities, developing their social skills alongside learning a new skill. Pupils also have opportunities to influence the school's development, including through membership of the 'pupil parliament'. Most parents and carers appreciate the school's work to support their child. However, a few are dissatisfied and feel that the school does not listen or respond well to their concerns.

What the school should improve

• The school's work to improve the quality of education has been impeded by high staff turnover, including at senior levels. The curriculum is not embedded fully in practice across all subjects. As a result, pupils do not consistently receive clear, coherent sequences of lessons in some subjects. The school should ensure that the curriculum is consistently delivered in line with the school's expectations.
• Sometimes, curriculum delivery lacks precision. For example, questions posed and explanations provided by staff are not clear, so pupils do not understand what is being asked of them. As a consequence, pupils do not make as much progress through the curriculum as they could. The school should ensure that the curriculum is consistently delivered with clarity and precision.

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