The Forum Centre

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Many pupils join the school following significant periods of time not in education. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Many have education health and care (EHC) plans. The school prioritises building pupils' confidence, self-esteem and engagement in their learning. Pupils benefit from a well-designed personal development offer. They have opportunities to complete a range of experiences that support their social, emotional and mental health development. For example, secondary age pupils take on challenges as they work towards The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The school's ambitious curriculum and raised expectations of what pupils can achieve means most leave school with recognised qualifications. Pupils are well-prepared for the next step of their education. Pupils value and appreciate the ways in which staff listen to them and help them in their learning. Staff treat pupils with respect and kindness. In turn, pupils learn to collaborate with others. They trust that staff will help them with any worries or concerns. Pupils are taught the skills to self-regulate. Clear routines and expectations help pupils to make well-informed choices about their actions and conduct. They are supported expertly by staff. The school is calm and orderly. It provides a safe and supportive place where its pupils flourish socially and emotionally.

What the school should improve

• The school's assessment of secondary age pupils' reading does not identify gaps in their knowledge precisely enough. This is especially the case for some pupils in the early stages of learning to read. This means that misconceptions persist and can hinder pupils' future learning. The school should ensure that staff have the expertise they need to check and support secondary pupils to secure their reading knowledge.
• Staff do not have a secure knowledge of some foundation subject curriculum expectations. They do not check pupils' knowledge effectively. As a result, in some subjects, learning activities do not support pupils to secure knowledge and understanding well enough. The school needs to support staff to develop their knowledge of these foundation subject curriculums so that they assess and identify pupils' next steps accurately.

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