Freshsteps Independent school

Overview

Freshsteps Independent School is described as an “exceptional institution” where pupils receive a “remarkable experience” that builds self-confidence and skills to “tackle adversity.” The report highlights a “highly ambitious” broad curriculum and “excellent” behaviour, underpinned by a consistent ethos of respect and individualised care for pupils with special educational needs.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “highly ambitious” with “breadth and ambition,” effectively adapting to meet individual needs while ensuring pupils gain “accredited qualification[s]” including GCSEs and vocational awards.
• Staff establish “positive relationships” and use individual “passports” to identify needs, creating a “calm, respectful, positive and safe environment” where bullying is “rare.”
• Reading is given the “highest priority,” with “well-planned” phonics lessons and “sensitive and skilled” support helping pupils become “increasingly fluent readers.”
• The school provides robust support for well-being, including “art and speech therapy provision,” and maintains “strong” attendance rates due to high expectations and a respectful ethos.
• Sixth-form provision is “Outstanding,” offering vocational courses like catering and engineering that prepare students well for the “world of work.”

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”