Pathways to Success

Overview

The inspection team found that staff have created a “welcoming and nurturing environment” where young people feel “safe, respected and included.” The service is praised for its clear communication with families and its success in helping pupils improve their social skills and attendance. However, the report identifies specific areas for improvement regarding curriculum balance and the monitoring of pupil progress.

Strengths

• The depute headteacher and staff establish a “positive atmosphere” that fosters inclusion and respect.
• “Clear lines of communication” between staff, young people, and families enable greater parental involvement and effective issue resolution.
• Staff are “skilled at identifying and meeting young people’s needs,” supporting improved social skills, attendance, and achievements.
• Leadership of change and ensuring wellbeing, equality, and inclusion are evaluated as “good.”

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders and staff should work with partners to “increase the hours which young people can spend in the service across the week” to support attainment.
• Staff should “increase their monitoring of young people’s progress and attainment” in all aspects of learning programmes to help build on prior learning.
• Staff should consider the “balance of the curriculum in the senior phase” to ensure sufficient time is given to National Qualifications alongside wider achievement awards.

Safeguarding

The report states that the depute headteacher leads staff in establishing a positive atmosphere where young people feel “safe, respected and included.”