Percy Hedley Hedleys College

Overview

Hedleys College is an independent specialist provider for young people with complex learning difficulties and disabilities. The inspection found that leaders have successfully sustained the quality of education, with students benefiting from an "inclusive and calm environment" and "very effective" therapeutic support.

Strengths

• Students learn in a setting where staff use "effective techniques" to manage complex needs and de-escalate challenging behaviour.
• An "extensive enrichment programme" allows students to try new activities, such as boxercise and adaptive surfing, boosting confidence.
• On-site therapeutic teams provide "very effective support," including speech and language therapy, aiding communication and physical stamina.
• Tutors plan "challenging and engaging lessons" based on thorough assessments, helping students progress towards their individual goals.
• Staff are well-qualified and attend training on specific conditions, such as autism and dysphagia, to improve their specialist knowledge.

Areas to improve

• Ensure all tutors teaching enrichment sessions help students work towards their individual targets.
• Ensure all resources and teaching materials are age-appropriate, particularly at the Hub centre.
• Ensure all tutors provide meaningful and precise comments on students’ work to guide improvement.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," with rigorous recruitment processes and comprehensive risk assessments ensuring student safety.