Shepwell Short Stay School (PRU-Medical)

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 July 2024

At Shepwell Short Stay School, pupils' lives are changed for the better. Many arrive with little self-belief and little trust in schools, education or people. Some join with a chequered school attendance history, often due to social, emotional, medical or health needs. Whatever the reason, they leave as caring, respectful, and inspirational young people who are proud to be part of their local community. Whether at the school site, the alternative provision, or through the hospital and home tuition, ambition and staff expectations of what pupils should achieve are high. Pupils thrive on this expectation. Many pupils achieve well and successfully take their next steps in education, employment or training. Care, belief, and a strong focus on mental well-being underpin relationships between staff and pupils. Staff work hard to understand the pupils' needs and provide the support they need. Consequently, when pupils need help, they get it quickly. This means that pupils' behaviour is always positive and industrious. Work experience, trips, and inspirational visitors enrich pupils' lives. The library minibus, garden and outdoor gym bring excitement to everyday learning. Careers education, courses at technical colleges, or working in the school's pop-up shop, help pupils understand what they want to achieve when they leave Shepwell.

What the school should improve

• The implementation of the curriculum is not always precisely adapted for pupils with the most complex cognition and learning needs. This makes learning more challenging for them and consequently slows the rate of progress over time. The school needs to ensure that the curriculum implementation is sufficiently adapted for all pupils and in all lessons to ensure that all pupils have the necessary prior skills, knowledge, and understanding to access the current learning.

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