The Ambleside Centre

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 July 2026

Children jump with joy every morning when they see their friends. They build special relationships and have a genuine love and warmth for each other. Children arrive each morning excited for the day ahead, confidently leaving their parents and getting straight on with their morning tasks. Staff know children well and help them to feel safe and settled. Warm relationships between children and staff are seen everywhere and help create a genuine family feel to the school. Parents are genuinely effusive in their praise for the care and education their children receive. Children behave kindly towards one another. Lunchtimes are harmonious occasions where children learn to eat safely and share a meal with their friends and keyworkers. Relationships are a notable strength. Children say they love everything about their school and that they feel safe. They are taught to be resilient in the face of difficulties and to keep trying. Children focus on their chosen activity for increasing lengths of time. They demonstrate determination when faced with new and interesting challenges. Although children are non-statutory school age, there is work to do for leaders to analyse attendance, reduce barriers and promote good attendance consistently. Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff provide effective support that helps to reduce children's barriers to learning or to accessing other aspects of school life. Children make secure progress across the early years curriculum. They show curiosity, independence and sustained involvement in their learning. As a result, they are ready for their next steps of education. Children sing rhymes, play in the water and swing on the climbing bars happily. They talk about their learning and love the stories they are told. Staff ensure that children’s physical development needs are met well.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to embed and develop their systems for tracking attendance, so attendance improves and so that they can evaluate the impact of their work.
• Governors need challenge school leaders effectively, to assure themselves of the quality and impact of the school’s work.

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