Leaders praised at school for excluded

A REPORT by education watchdog Ofsted has praised the leadership of a school for excluded pupils.

The report on Bradford Primary Pupil Referral Unit said the driving force behind its success is a “formidable team” of leaders.

The PRU, which supports pupils who have been permanently excluded or are at risk of exclusion from primary schools, is thought to be one of the first in the country to be inspected under the new Ofsted framework and has been judged Good with Outstanding features.

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The report says that executive headteacher Hilary Beards, assistant headteacher Kirsty Ratcliffe and senior manager Anne Carter are a “formidable team”, who are highly ambitious and lead by example.

Lead inspector Adrian Simm wrote: “Very clear strategies and a relentless drive in helping pupils improve their behaviour and attendance are outstanding features of the unit’s work. Consequently, behaviour is outstanding and attendance is improving very rapidly.”

His report adds that the “atmosphere within the unit is one of exceptional calm where pupils contribute very well to a welcoming, hard-working and supportive environment.”

The report says teachers and behaviour support workers are extremely effective in lessons, leaders and managers are highly ambitious and that the unit had improved since the last inspection.

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To further improve, the PRU needs to ensure “the right balance is found in teaching to consistently support pupils’ behaviour needs and stretch them in their work” and says senior managers need to focus more sharply on pupils’ academic skills so these improve as strongly as their personal development.”

Mrs Beards said: “We are delighted with this glowing report, which reflects how we see the PRU.

“The inspector was very impressed with what he saw.”

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