Marchbank Free School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 January 2024

Pupils thrive at Marchbank Free School. Staff know each individual pupil well and develop strong professional relationships with them. As soon as they start at the school, pupils receive close attention, nurture and care. The nurturing environment helps pupils to feel safe and ready to learn once again. Establishing routines and boundaries is important here. Adults are consistent in their expectations of pupils' behaviour and achievement. Pupils understand the school systems that contribute to purposeful learning in the classrooms. At times, some pupils do struggle with managing their emotions. Adults are adept at spotting the signs when this occurs and provide skilful intervention. This helps pupils to calm and rejoin their class and their learning quickly. Pupils enjoy valuable experiences that broaden their horizons beyond the classroom. They are carefully planned to help pupils develop self-esteem and prepare for later life. They play a significant part in rebuilding confidence through enjoying success. Opportunities include learning new skills such as those of forest school, cooking, gardening and sports skills, or developing musical talents.

What the school should improve

• In a minority of subjects, the implementation of the curriculum is inconsistent. Sometimes, teachers do not identify or address misconceptions swiftly, leaving pupils with gaps in their learning. The school needs to ensure that all staff have the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to implement the curriculum with clarity and conviction in all subjects.

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