School for autistic children praised

A SCHOOL for autistic children has been given an “oustanding” rating by Ofsted officials at its latest inspection.

Owned and run by the National Autistic Society, The Robert Ogden School in Thurnscoe caters for children from around the country aged between five and 19.

In their newly-published report, inspectors that the quality of education at the school is “outstanding.”

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The report adds: “The school successfully meets its aims, providing an environment in which young people feel at ease and are enabled to make outstanding progress in their learning.

“The quality of the curriculum, teaching and assessment are all outstanding.

“The curriculum is highly personalised so that it meets individual students’ needs exceptionally well.”

Inspectors also note the school’s “calm and productive atmosphere for learning” and its “broad and well balanced’ curriculum.”

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The school’s new headteacher, Dr Jacqui Ashton-Smith, is now in charge of both The Robert Ogden School and another National Autistic Society school in Kent.

She said: “I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of the staff and students at The Robert Ogden School that has led to the school achieving this outstanding Ofsted result.

“Having worked with the NAS for 18 years, I’m delighted to be taking on a new role and helping develop another school.

“We want a world where people living with autism get to lead the life they choose and I look forward to helping play a part in this for all the students at the school.”

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Gillian Roberts, previous principal of The Robert Ogden School, left last month after 28 years.

She said: “I will take many fond memories with me. I’ve worked with Jacqui for many years and she is highly regarded within the international autism community.

“I’ve no doubt she will be a great asset to the students, staff and parents.”

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