November 2023

Beckfoot Phoenix Primary Special School receives ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating

Pupils and staff at Beckfoot Phoenix have been celebrating their school’s ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted, following an inspection on 10^th and 11^th October.

The school, part of Beckfoot Trust has been praised by Ofsted for its excellent education provision, broad enrichment programme, and positive relationships between staff and pupils.

Pupils at the school, who have severe learning difficulties and profound and complex learning and medical needs, have “extremely warm and positive” relationships with staff, which is critical for their social and emotional wellbeing and for their educational attainment.

The entire school community is pleased to have received a report which has recognised the continued improvements since the ungraded inspection 18 months ago and has rated the school Outstanding across all areas.

Throughout the report, inspectors found a wide range of attributes that contribute to the outstanding provision and ensure that pupils receive the very best possible opportunities and outcomes. Key insights from the report included:

• The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated ‘Outstanding’.
• Families are well supported by staff who go ‘above and beyond’.
• The report described the school as ‘a very special place’ that has “high expectations for all”.
• “The trust provides excellent support and challenge to the school.”
• Inspectors praised leaders who “continually seek ways to improve” and staff for being “highly skilled".
• “Pupils are valued highly and nurtured exceptionally well.”
• “Pupils benefit from, and thrive because of, specialist medical and therapeutic support.”
• The school has implemented “successful routines” which help pupils feel safe and understand what is expected of them.
• Pupils’ complex needs are well-addressed. “Thoughtfully designed ‘calming’ spaces help to reduce pupils’ anxiety. Staff use creative techniques such as sensory massage, to help pupils to be ready to learn.”
• The curriculum was praised for being “very well sequenced” and “broad and ambitious”.
• “Learning is well matched to each pupils’ age and stage of development. The school plans with precision to meet each pupil’s special educational needs and/or disability (SEND), effectively.”
• Ofsted praised staff for being “highly proficient” in teaching pupils how to effectively communicate and interact.
• “There is excellent focus on the development of pupils’ communication and interaction skills.”
• Inspectors found that “reading is prioritised.”
• “Staff seize every opportunity to develop pupils’ vocabulary and understanding of language.”
• “Where some pupils struggle to access the phonics programme due to their SEND, staff are tenacious in their approach. They utilise a range of resources to provide skilled and timely support for pupils. There is a determined focus on helping pupils to use and apply their phonics skills to read, spell and write with increasing fluency.”
• The report commended the atmosphere of the school, “the quality of staff interactions with pupils, including those in the early years, is exceptional. Classrooms are fun places for pupils to learn. Staff are excellent role models for pupils.”
• Enrichment at the school was highlighted as successful, with pupils enjoying “swimming, cooking, learning first aid and educational visits associated with the curriculum.”

Mrs Sarah Lloyd, Headteacher at Beckfoot Phoenix,

“I am incredibly proud of the whole Beckfoot Phoenix community and the outcome of this Ofsted inspection. The report is testament to the fantastic school community we have at Beckfoot Phoenix, and it is thanks to the hard work of all our staff, who continue to go above and beyond for our pupils.

“Alongside our staff, I would like to thank our Trust, who have continued to provide the rigorous support that has allowed us to implement changes that have led to the improvements recognised by Ofsted.

“Whilst we are delighted with the judgment, we will continue to work tirelessly to the trust mission of ‘creating remarkable schools where no child is left behind.’  Our school sentence of ‘learning lots, making memories and being brilliant’ sums up our relentless ambition to be remarkable. 

Shirley Watson, CEO of Beckfoot Trust, 

“This ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report demonstrates the hard work of all staff, pupils and the wider school community at Beckfoot Phoenix. I am proud of this result and want to thank every individual who has helped the school reach this achievement.

“Particular recognition to Sarah Lloyd for her dedication to providing the best possible education for the children in her school and for her strong  leadership since becoming Beckfoot Phoenix’ Headteacher.

“Beckfoot Trust is committed to driving up standards and providing an excellent education for every child.  We are determined to live our values of enjoy, learn and succeed and to create remarkable schools where no child is left behind.”

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