New Horizons Learning Centre

Overview

New Horizons Learning Centre is a special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, judged as ‘Good’ overall. The report highlights that staff provide a “relentlessly predictable” environment which helps pupils feel secure and build trust. Personal development is rated ‘Outstanding’, with pupils becoming “independent, confident young people” well prepared for adulthood.

Strengths

• Staff manage challenging behaviour in a “calm and consistent way”, helping pupils cope with anxieties.
• The “highly effective” personal, social and health education programme underpins respect and positive relationships.
• Pupils enjoy practical activities and engage in sports and outdoor adventures, such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
• The school offers “individual, bespoke timetables” and organises alternative provision well for pupils with significant anxiety.
• Parents speak highly of the “transformation” they see in their children and staff enthusiasm.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in some subjects does not clearly set out “what the vital components of learning are”, making it hard to ensure pupils remember key content.
• The reading curriculum beyond phonics is not well developed; the school must ensure it develops pupils’ “comprehension skills” and understanding of what they read.

Safeguarding

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