Rodenhurst School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 May 2024

Pupils arrive at Rodenhurst School with a range of experiences and emotions linked to their previous education. Many of these have been negative or involve extended periods of time away from education. This school is a real change factor for many of the pupils who attend. Family Care's mission of 'healing pasts, building futures' is brought to life through each interaction that staff and pupils have. The strong bonds formed help staff and pupils alike through the trickier times when pupils become anxious or distressed. A range of successful strategies and support mean unpredictable moments lessen. Pupils learn right from wrong and get better at making the right choice. The school sets out an ambitious curriculum. This rightly starts with a strong and consistent focus on pupils feeling safe and secure. Pupils then build their knowledge across a range of subjects. The gaps that all pupils have when they join are starting to close. Pupils experience a wide range of opportunities, including visits out and visitors to school. Visiting art museums and places of worship, driving vehicles in a field and managing budgets to purchase ingredients for cooking support pupils to 'be the best they can be'.

What the school should improve

• Some parts of the curriculum do not have the small steps of learning as clearly identified as they are in other parts of the curriculum. As a result, staff do not always teach or emphasise what is most important to learn. The school should continue to refine the curriculum to make clear the most important knowledge and skills pupils need to know and remember.
• Staff expertise in different subjects varies. As a result, not all subjects are taught to the same standard. The school should continue to develop staff subject-specific expertise so that children benefit from the same standard of teaching in all subjects.

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