Ellesmere College

Overview

Ellesmere College is a special school where leaders and staff provide a high-quality, inclusive education for pupils with complex needs. The report highlights "strong standard" performance in attendance, behaviour, inclusion, and post-16 provision, while noting that achievement, curriculum, leadership, and personal development meet the "expected standard." The school fosters a calm, supportive environment where pupils feel safe and valued.

Strengths

• Behaviour is a "clear strength," with staff responding "calmly and skilfully" to help pupils regulate emotions.
• Inclusion is praised as a "clear strength," with staff knowing pupils "in depth" and using education, health and care plans effectively.
• Post-16 provision is of "high quality," offering personalised pathways that prepare students well for adulthood and employment.
• Attendance systems are "well considered and used very effectively," leading to significant improvements for individual pupils.
• Staff create a "positive team culture" and are supported by leaders who prioritise wellbeing and professional learning.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must strengthen curriculum sequencing, particularly in the 'Thrive' pathway, to ensure knowledge builds cumulatively.
• Teaching should challenge pupils more effectively so those ready to progress do so "promptly."
• Governors need to strengthen "strategic challenge" to hold leaders to account for the pace of improvement in education quality.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.