Inspired Pathways

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 July 2024

This is a diamond of a school hidden in plain sight. The three strands of its work are carefully woven together; it helps pupils who are often at their most vulnerable. It has been carefully built on the 'SPIRE' values of success, perseverance, integrity, respect and empathy, which are lived by staff and pupils alike. The school holds high aspirations for the pupils when they cannot do this for themselves. Staff help pupils towards a rapid return to a mainstream school or another setting when possible. This is true across all aspects of the school's work. All pupils are supported to make their best next step, with staff often going above and beyond to make this happen. Pupils who complete their time at the Whitmore Park Annexe achieve high-quality qualifications, often exceeding their own expectations. Pupils have very strong and positive relationships with staff, who they know want the best for them. They feel safe. Pupils know that they can turn to staff for support for whatever they need to talk about, and they do so. Pupils enjoy the excellent range of opportunities that help them engage with the wider world. They are encouraged to take up ambassador roles, and enjoy them greatly. For example, they actively organise school events and support each other's well-being.

What the school should improve

• Pupils do not always express their thinking verbally in lessons. As a result, some barriers remain to pupils feeling equipped to do so. The school should work with staff to develop pupils' skills and confidence in expressing themselves to better prepare them for their next steps.

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