An independent school which opened in Bath just over a year ago has been praised by Ofsted following its first inspection.
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Hambling View Independent School at Lime Yard on Claverton Down Road caters for pupils with complex SEND (special educational needs or disability), including those with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Hambling View is owned by MIAG Independent Schools Ltd, and the fees are £70,000 a year.
Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.
The new report card system offers more detailed information and a five-point grading scale, the highest being exceptional, followed by strong standard, expected standard and needs attention, with urgent improvement the lowest.
Inspectors visited Hambling View on 3rd February and published their report on 24th March.
The inspector graded the school as being a strong standard for attendance and behaviour, and inclusion. It is of the expected standard for leadership and governance, achievement, curriculum and teaching, and personal development and wellbeing.
The report highlights: “Hambling View is a highly inclusive and welcoming place. Pupils join the school having had previous negative experiences of education. Many arrive with significant gaps in their learning having not been in full-time education for some time.
“From the very start, leaders and staff work hard to change pupils’ views and rebuild trust. They take time to understand, and remove, the academic and social barriers that pupils face. As a result, pupils feel safe, attend school regularly and quickly develop a sense of belonging.”
The report says the next steps are for leaders to ensure that the way staff check pupils’ understanding of new knowledge is consistently effective, and that pupils receive the support they need to improve their handwriting and transcription skills.
The school has a capacity of 14 pupils. It is understood there are currently six on the roll.
The school says on its website that the Ofsted report “reflects the hard work, dedication, and vibrant spirit of our entire school community”.
It adds: “The inspectors recognised the strong values that underpin everything we do and praised the positive, inclusive culture that our students and staff create together every day.”
