Ofsted Rating:

Outstanding in all areas – April 2022

Ofsted | Serenity School Eltham

Ofsted Pupil Voice:

What is it like to attend this school?

Quality of Education:

“Each pupil is given a personal, bespoke curriculum that is both demanding and matched carefully to these needs”.

Personal Development:

“Matching the curriculum to pupils’ individual, specific needs means that, for some, the programme is focused on developing emotional and social skills, and pupils’ understanding of how to live healthily”.

Behaviour & Attitudes of pupils:

“The curriculum is broad and ambitious. No pupils are denied access to the full range of subjects and activities. Teachers adapt their teaching skilfully to ensure that all pupils understand the important ideas. In lessons, learning is rarely interrupted as pupils settle to work promptly”.

Leadership, Management and Governance:

“Leaders and teachers to account rigorously. For example, there are well-established procedures to monitor how well the curriculum supports pupils’ learning. Support for teachers is strong, including in training and ensuring their well-being.

Safeguarding is of the highest priority for leaders, governors and staff”.

Outstanding in all areas – May 2023

Ofsted | Serenity School

Material Change Inspection Dec 2021 – Pass

Ofsted | Serenity School May 2023

Quality of Education:

In lessons, teachers and teaching assistants, known as progress partners, work well together to support pupils. They make learning interesting and provide plenty of opportunities for pupil discussion. This helps to bring together pupils’ ideas about what they are learning. Staff ask helpful questions that encourage pupils to think. Pupils hone their reading, writing and mathematical skills in lessons. Staff regularly check how pupils are progressing towards their individual targets.

Development:

Pupils’ personal development is exceptional. The school’s approach to personal, social, health and economic education has been well thought out. Pupils learn a plethora of important topics in their personal and social development lessons. Assemblies support their understanding of these topics. What pupils learn helps to prepare them for adulthood.

Behaviour & Attitudes of Pupils:

Pupils love coming to Serenity School. They described their experiences very positively, saying that they are happy and feel safe. Pupils get on well with each other and any bullying is tackled quickly.

Leadership, Management & Governance:

Proprietors and directors of the school have high expectations. They have developed sophisticated systems that help them to monitor leaders’ work. They challenge and support leaders in equal measure to ensure that the school’s statutory duties are carried out fully. This includes compliance with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Leaders prioritise professional development and a suitable work-life balance for staff.

Good in All Areas – November 2023

Ofsted Reports – Crawley

Quality of Education:

The curriculum is interesting and ambitious. In key stage 4, this is increasingly aligned to qualification pathways and pupils’ aspirations. Priority is given to ensuring that pupils leave the school with a functional skills qualification or GCSE in English and mathematics. Staff know well what pupils need to learn in different subjects and year groups. The curriculum sets out exactly what pupils should learn and when.

Personal Development:

There is a well-designed personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme in place. Pupils learn about relationships and sex education, different faiths and are prepared well for life in modern Britain. Assemblies promote key messages, such as the importance of treating different cultures, beliefs and heritages with respect. Regular events such as litter picks and volunteering in the community help to instil the importance of citizenship.

Behavior & Attitudes of pupils:

Staff are positive role models. They reinforce what is expected and help pupils to regulate their behavior so that learning is not disrupted. Pupils usually behave better the longer they are in school. Staff work effectively in order to help pupils to remove barriers to their learning and attendance.

Leadership, Management, and Governance:

The proprietor body has a successful track record in special education. They challenge and support the school effectively in order to improve pupils’ achievement and attendance. The proprietor body ensures that all the independent school standards (‘the standards’) are met consistently well.