The Link School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 November 2023

Pupils like the calm, peaceful atmosphere and small class sizes. They feel valued and notice how much staff care for them. Pupils are included in many decisions about their education. They grow in confidence and recognise the positive impact the school has on their lives. Staff make clear what they expect of pupils' behaviour. Most pupils know and respond well to these expectations and boundaries. Skilled adults support pupils to manage their emotions and conduct. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn to make positive behaviour choices. Pupils develop trusting relationships with adults and know who to turn to if they have a concern. One pupil echoed the views of many in saying, 'If I have a problem, staff help me sort it out.' Pupils are safe, including from bullying. They are taught how to behave responsibly, including when online. Pupils like what they study. They gain important knowledge of English, mathematics and science. This helps them make up lost ground from their previously disrupted schooling. Pupils develop the resilience to complete more challenging work. They get along well in lessons and respond positively to adults' encouragement. Pupils are well prepared to rejoin mainstream education.

What the school should improve

• The school's work to instil a love of reading is ongoing. It is having less of an impact in the secondary phase than in the primary phase. Some older pupils do not enjoy reading and do not read widely. Leaders should accelerate their work to ensure that secondary-age pupils read more widely and become more confident and fluent readers.
• The attendance of some pupils in key stage four is lower than it should be. Leaders should review and finetune the strategies that they have in place to improve pupils' attendance so all older pupils attend regularly and often.

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