The Rowans

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 December 2025

Pupils are valued at The Rowans. They enjoy attending the school. Pupils develop a deep sense of belonging due to the warm and caring relationships they quickly develop with staff. Pupils trust that staff will support them with any challenges they face. For many pupils, attending The Rowans gives them their first positive experience of school and education. Pupils are skilfully supported by staff, who help them to develop strategies to manage their own behaviour. Staff respond quickly to provide additional support for pupils who need it. Pupils are confident that staff will deal with bullying if it occurs. This helps them feel happy and safe and results in a calm and respectful school environment. The school supports pupils to become confident and resilient. Pupils engage positively with the community through opportunities, such as preparing and delivering afternoon tea to local residents. The school provides pupils with an extensive range of wider experiences to support their personal development. This offer includes visits, trips, work experience and the opportunity to take part in sporting events. It gives pupils the chance to try new things, discover interests and to build positive relationships with their peers. This is a highly inclusive school, where staff are ambitious for all pupils. The school is very effective at identifying and addressing the academic barriers that pupils face. Pupils benefit from high-quality teaching that is adapted to meet their needs. This enables them to learn effectively, make rapid progress and achieve well. They are prepared well for their next steps. This school is successful at improving pupils' life chances.

What the school should improve

• Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas. They should seek continued improvement, overcoming barriers and challenges, in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils. This includes disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing.

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