Ofsted report reveals Hope House school, New Balderton, Newark still requires improvement

A school previously graded as inadequate by Ofsted is showing signs of progress but still requires improvement, according to a recent report.

The inspection into the Hope House School on Barnby Road, Balderton was graded in five categories — the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and their sixth-form provision.

Hope House is an independent special school which caters for children and young people aged five to 19 who have an autism spectrum disorder.

The school last received a full inspection in January 2020 in which Ofsted graded the school as inadequate.

Both the quality of education and leadership and management were areas listed as requiring improvement in the most recent report.

On what needed to be improved, Ofsted wrote: “They are striving to ensure that the school provides good-quality education for pupils. However, plans to improve the quality of education are in the early stages of development.”

“Leaders have identified that they do not promote the importance of reading well enough. Pupils do not get sufficient opportunities to read widely and often.

“They do not receive regular and effective phonics lessons. This means that some pupils do not develop the knowledge and skills they need to read competently.

“In turn, this limits pupils’ ability to become fluent and confident readers. Leaders should ensure that the teaching of phonics and reading receive the necessary prioritisation so that pupils can practise and develop their reading skills and develop a love of reading.”

The report tied the quality of education to the school’s leadership which has recently been re-structured, saying: “Each pupil’s curriculum is tailored to their individual needs. Yet, not all staff teach pupils consistently well. Some pupils do not achieve as highly as they should.

“Middle leaders are new to their roles. Consequently, there is some variation in how well staff teach the curriculum in some subjects.

“Leaders should make sure that middle leaders have the necessary knowledge and skills to lead their areas of responsibility, so that they can ensure that teachers teach their subjects consistently well across all subjects.”

Despite the overall grade, the school did maintain a good rating when it came to the areas of behaviour and attitudes, personal development and sixth-form provision.

In these areas, the report said: “Pupils develop strategies to help them to understand and manage their behaviour. They learn what to do if they experience bullying. Leaders make sure that pupils always have an adult to go to if they are worried.

“The curriculum for pupils’ personal development is a high priority for the school. Topics of learning are focused to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.

“Students in the sixth form enjoy preparing for independent living in the school’s house. They learn how to travel safely when using public transport.

“There is an appropriate programme to teach pupils about their options for future careers.

“Pupils receive advice and guidance to help them make informed decisions about further education, employment and training. They are well prepared for their next steps.”

Ofsted also said that the school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective and that pupils are well cared for.

Hope House school has been approached for comment.

The quality of education Requires improvement

Behaviour and attitudes Good

Personal development Good

Leadership and management Requires improvement

Sixth-form provision Good

Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

Does the school meet the independent school standards? Yes