Sycamore Short Stay School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 June 2024

There is a calm, welcoming and purposeful atmosphere present throughout this inclusive school. Almost all pupils arrive having had significant disruption to their education. Leaders ensure that pupils' needs are carefully assessed on arrival, and this includes listening to the voices of pupils and parents. The school works hard to minimise or remove the barriers that pupils face to attending school. Over time, pupils are supported to re-engage positively with education. Pupils learn to reflect on their feelings and actions. This helps them to build their resilience and character. Pupils grow in their understanding of what it means to work well in lessons. This is built on the strong relationships quickly develop between pupils and staff. Pupils of all ages are helped to read and they enjoy this. They value the rewards they receive for positive engagement in learning and school life. Older pupils particularly enjoy saving and spending through the 'Sycamore Bank'. Pupils' personal development is well catered for. Pupils know that staff are there to help them. Staff provide timely support and are responsive as particular issues arise. This covers a whole range of additional needs that the pupils often arrive with. The school supports pupils towards a return to a mainstream school or another appropriate setting very well.

What the school should improve

• Some areas of the curriculum are not clear enough on what needs to be learnt. Therefore, teachers do not always select the most appropriate tasks for pupils to do. As a result, pupils do not maximise their learning time in lessons. The school should ensure that the purpose of each activity is clearly related to a specific part of the curriculum being delivered.

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