Whitehouse Pupil Referral Unit

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

The school's 'respect' values of resilience, empathy, self-awareness, positivity, excellence, communication and teamwork are high priorities at this nurturing school. There is a happy and calm atmosphere. Pupils are valued and warmly welcomed by caring staff. It is a close-knit school community, where staff encourage pupils to do their best. There are high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour. The curriculum is broad and ambitious. It supports pupils to build their knowledge and skills according to their needs. Pupils are well prepared to move back to mainstream education or to special school provision. Pupils enjoy learning in a safe and inclusive environment. They appreciate that staff listen to them and understand their needs. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The school assesses, identifies and meets pupils' individual needs in a timely and precise way. Pupils learn to behave well. Skilled staff help pupils to develop ways to manage their emotions and behaviour. Pupils appreciate using the safe spaces and resources the school provides, to help them to calm and regulate their behaviour. They know they can talk to adults they trust about their worries. The school provides personalised and effective pastoral support for pupils' social, emotional and mental health needs.

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that pupils consistently receive the guidance they need to improve their handwriting or that teachers routinely identify gaps in pupils' knowledge of grammar and punctuation. This means that some pupils may not develop the ability to write fluently and with legible handwriting. The school should ensure that all staff understand how to develop pupils' handwriting skills and to use and apply accurate punctuation and grammar in their writing.

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