'Good' Ofsted report for new independent school in Norden

A new independent Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) School in Norden has achieved ‘Good’ in its first Ofsted rating.

Willow View School, which opened in December 2022, is a small “welcoming and nurturing” independent school run by the local social enterprise Five Rivers Child Care.

The school offers tailored education for pupils aged 6-18 who have social, emotional and mental health needs.

Willow View offers trauma-informed education for 30 pupils with a range of needs including ADHD, autism, developmental trauma, sensory processing difficulties, dyslexia and attachment difficulties.

The Ofsted report recognises the quality of work and dedication of the teachers and staff by saying: “Pupils feel that staff support them, and their friends, to be calm when they are anxious.

“They learn a range of strategies to help them to regulate their own behaviour.”

The report goes on to note: “Staff provide timely guidance to make learning and social times a positive experience for pupils. Pupils have access to a spacious outdoor area where they can play football. They benefit from a wide range of enrichment activities, such as swimming, cooking and outdoor learning. These activities help them to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.”

Willow View School provides small classes, allowing children a tailored learning experience which helps them to reintegrate into mainstream school.

The school was praised for an emphasis on teaching pupils to read, although a “very small number of pupils who find reading more difficult have gaps in their early reading knowledge, including how to apply their phonics knowledge. This stops them from being able to read with accuracy and with fluency. In addition, these pupils find the books they are provided to read too difficult.”

The report states that “leaders have ensured that the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum is carefully sequenced and delivered well.

“It provides pupils with the opportunity to listen to the news and discuss issues and themes which affect their everyday life. Pupils have a strong voice in the school community.”

The school was also praised for effective safeguarding with staff “well trained in safeguarding procedures” who know how to spot the potential signs of abuse and how to respond with concerns or worries.

With Willow View being a new school, inspectors noted: “In a small number of subjects, leaders are still defining what they want pupils to know and the order in which this new learning should be taught. In these remaining subjects, a small number of pupils do not achieve as well as they could.”

The Ofsted inspectors recommend ‘refining’ the curriculum to “identify the important subject content that pupils should be taught” and support students to catch up with their reading.

Delighted with the outcome of the report, head teacher Danielle Hume said: “I am glad that Ofsted were able to see what we see on a daily basis at Willow View School.

“It was a tricky process, having only been open for 7 months before our full inspection. However, we got the outcome we were hoping for and that we deserve.

“The part of the report that stands out most to me is that Willow View School is a safe and nurturing place for pupils to learn and that pupils enjoy coming and are happy here. The pupils really are amazing and have a fantastic staff team working with them.

“I am so proud of us all for what we have achieved in such a short amount of time. We have pupils that enjoy coming to school now, are safe, happy, and thriving. I couldn't ask for anything more.”