Pentland Field School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 September 2023

In all parts of the school, from the early years to the sixth form, it is clear to see how much pupils enjoy being here. This is a happy, friendly school where each and every pupil is valued and cared for. Pupils build strong and trusting relationships with staff. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Whatever their method of communication, pupils' views, feelings and ideas are listened to and understood. Staff are well trained to support pupils' special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They use their expertise very effectively to work out what each pupil needs and when. Everyone is focused on helping pupils to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need for the future. Staff, including the school's team of therapists, do whatever it takes to enable each pupil to flourish and succeed. These high expectations allow pupils to make great strides in achieving their individual goals. Pupils learn to understand themselves and others. Pupils are given all the help they need to manage their feelings and emotions. They behave well. Students in the sixth form remembered the importance of the words 'strive' and 'compromise'. Younger pupils said how much they look forward to becoming 'school reward champions' for being kind and gentle to others.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, approaches for checking what pupils know, remember and can do are still being finalised. This means that, in these subjects, staff do not have a clear picture about whether pupils have learned and remembered the intended curriculum. The school should continue its work to establish approaches to check what pupils know and remember in these subjects.
• Occasionally, teachers choose activities or present tasks in ways which do not help pupils to learn the intended curriculum as well as they might. When this happens, it sometimes confuses pupils or does not allow them to show what they know. The school should ensure that teachers consider carefully the activities they choose so that these benefit all pupils and allow them to show what they know, remember and can do.

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