New Skill Centre in Ipswich makes improvements to earn 'good' rating from Ofsted

A school that inspectors said helps transform young lives and makes students proud to attend has moved from a 'requires improvement' rating to 'good' by a watchdog.

Ofsted said New Skill Centre in Nacton Road, Ipswich, a school that specialises in helping those with special educational needs, has made improvements since its last inspection.

The school's latest report said pupils are supportive of one another and that there are few instances of bullying.

The watchdog praised school leaders for having a rigorous curriculum as well as support to help students learn.

Pupils can learn a variety of subjects, including those that could lead to vocational jobs, such as carpentry or animation.

The report, based on an inspection in June, said: "In most subjects, leaders have thought carefully about the order in which pupils need to learn important knowledge and skills. Teachers carefully consider what pupils know and can do when planning what they teach in lessons. They make sure pupils’ learning is adapted and appropriate for their needs."

It added: "Teachers are also adept at helping pupils make connections across their learning and to the world around them."

However, Ofsted also noted that the school is currently reviewing its English course to better accommodate students who have not mastered reading, and that some staff have not been properly trained to ensure pupils can read well.

All students have an education, health and care plan and leaders work hard to remove the challenges pupils face - and work diligently to ensure pupil's needs are met.

Overall quality of education was ranked as good by the watchdog, as was leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes, and personal development.

This is a significant step-up over the 2019 report, which ranked all criteria as needing improvement

While the school was considered small, but welcoming, three years ago, the quality of education was highlighted as not being good enough, and assessments of pupil's special education needs did not appropriately take their learning needs into account.

In comparison, the most recent report notes improvements in ensuring all student needs are met.

Middle leadership still needs to be fully developed to help make the educational experience better for students.

It added that a new advisory board is helping accomplish this through questions they ask through school visits.

The report also said that school leaders are uncompromising in ensuring student safety - they have strong relationships with external agencies and challenge decisions if they do not meet the needs of the pupil.

Overall, Ofsted highlighted two major areas for improvement before its next inspection: staff training to support students who are learning to read, and middle leaders clearly evaluating the impact of their measures, such as curriculum changing.

The 2019 report was the New Skill Centre's first report as an independent school.

According to the latest report, 29 students aged 11 to 16 were on the school roll.

Some are part-time, while others are in full-time education.

It also offers courses to students between 16 and 19, particularly those who have difficulties in institutes with high populations.

The report said: "New Skill Centre is a friendly and safe place... The atmosphere in the school is calm and purposeful and pupils behave well. They learn the social skills they need to thrive. Many confidently talk to visitors. Pupils receive appropriate support for managing their social, emotional and mental health needs.

"There is an increasing recognition in the local area that pupils are helped to ‘come out of their shell’ and be successful. Pupils are happy and settled. They are learning well. Several parents now want their children to stay for post-16 education.

"Pupils are well prepared to secure the next steps in education, employment and training."

New Skill Centre staff were thrilled with the results of the report.

Headteacher Mark Winston said: "We are delighted with the outcome of our most recent Ofsted inspection and especially many of the positive comments contained within the report.

The whole staff team are dedicated to meeting the needs of every pupil and I am so pleased that they had the opportunity to showcase their expertise, hard work and levels of commitment.

"We have only been open for two full academic years and although these have been severely disrupted by Covid lockdowns, we have strived to ensure that we continued to provide the best educational experience for all our pupils whilst further developing areas of our school."