© Brown’s School 2009 web@brownsschool.co.uk
Inspections
OFSTED
Like every school, Brown’s is subject to regular OFSTED inspections. Here are some quotes from the School’s latest inspection that took place in March 2009.
Evaluation of the school
“The school meets its aims and provides a good quality of education. A particular strength is the curriculum, which is outstanding in its breadth and quality.”
“Teaching is consistently good and there are examples of outstanding practice.”
“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils
gain immensely in confidence and self-
Quality of Education
“While the overall quality of education is good, the curriculum is outstanding. It covers all the subjects in the National Curriculum, religious education and French. In addition specialist staff are brought in to provide information and communication technology, sport, music, drama, yoga, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy.”
“The curriculum meets pupils' special needs exceptionally well by focusing on developing their skills in literacy and in organising their own work. In addition, pupils learn to manage their own behaviour and social interactions.”
“Teachers make good use of pupils’ individual education plans to match literacy lessons to individual needs. Teaching assistants are deployed effectively to support individuals and groups. As a result pupils make good progress towards the challenging targets in their plans.”
“The effective teaching leads to pupils making good progress in lessons, particularly in reading and spelling. Pupils say their reading has improved and they can now write for themselves, which many could not prior to joining the school. This gives them the confidence to move on to secondary school.”
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils
“This aspect of pupils’ development, particularly their growth in confidence and self esteem, is outstanding and a special feature of the school. Most pupils join the school from mainstream education where their specific needs have not been met. “
“In their questionnaires, pupils wrote about their appreciation of the help they are given in the school. One wrote ‘Brown’s is the best school I have ever been to’. Pupils say they enjoy school very much, particularly the many opportunities for practical work, and this is evident in their enthusiasm for learning, in the pride they take in their achievements and in their satisfactory attendance.”
“Positive relationships with all staff, often enhanced by humour and always by praise, promote pupils' confidence and willingness to contribute to lessons and other activities. Pupils learn to speak articulately and confidently, and develop good social and organisational skills to support them in their future learning. Some pupils enter the school with complex needs which include asperger’s syndrome. The school manages their behaviour well and they learn to live by a strict moral code.”
Welfare, health and safety of the pupils
“Pupils thrive in the safe, secure and caring school environment. The head teacher and staff know the pupils and their needs well.”
“Consistent application of the behaviour policy by all the staff results in a calm environment for learning.”
A full copy of the report is available from the OFSTED website.
CReSTeD
The Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic pupils was set up to provide guidance and assurance to parents seeking a school for their dyslexic child. CReSTeD examines the adequacy of a school’s provision for dyslexic pupils In order to appear on the CReSTeD Register of Specialist Schools Brown’s undergoes regular inspections by the Council. Here is the report summary from the Council’s latest inspection
Summary of Report (September 2006)
Brown’s School is a small school which can be proud of the education it provides for pupils who find it very hard to thrive in mainstream. Pupils feel safe and valued here. They receive a balanced curriculum which is taught effectively, taking account of their individual needs. Their social and emotional needs are also well met. The school provides many opportunities in areas of sport, art, drama, music and extra curricular activities so that the children benefit from an all round education. The Head says that the school has a special spirit which is hard to define. I felt that the success of the school and its pupils lies in the dedication, expertise an commitment of the entire staff.
More information about CReSTeD and its role in maintaining the quality of Specialist Schools is available on their website.