Royal Free Hospital Children's School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 February 2025

This is a school where each pupil is valued and celebrated for who they are and what they can do. Most have had a turbulent time in education and they often join the school feeling that education has little to offer them. Staff work hard to change this view. Staff have created a safe space, where pupils can learn. Consequently, pupils typically enjoy school and are proud to attend. After spending time at The Royal Free Hospital School, even pupils who have previously spent one or two years in their bedrooms often thrive when they return to a mainstream school. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary, both in class and throughout the school. They are polite, welcoming and cooperative. The positive, well-staffed environment limits any potential for bullying. Low-level disruptive behaviour does not hinder other pupils' learning. They are confident that staff will help them with any problems they encounter. The school has high expectations for all pupils. However, the curriculum is under review. At the time of this inspection, the curriculum was not sufficiently developed. Parents and carers are positive about the school. Several parents spoke of seeing changes in their children that they had never dared to dream of, such as achieving GCSEs, or just talking to a neighbour.

What the school should improve

• Because the school is at the early stages of designing a curriculum that responds to the recent changes it has seen in the needs of the pupils, the delivery of the curriculum is not yet consistently effective. As a result, in some subjects pupils do not build their knowledge well enough over time. The school should ensure that all subject curriculums are implemented as intended.

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