Glade School in Totton is rated 'requires improvement' by Ofsted inspectors
AN independent special school for pupils with autism has been rated as "requires improvement" by Ofted inspectors.
The overall grade for the Glade School in Junction Road, Totton, was despite it being described as "good" in every area except leadership and management, which was also "requires improvement".
Inspectors praised the school for its nurturing approach and pupils achieving "ambitious goals", but pointed to some "inexperienced" leaders.
The report said: "Some analysis, for example of attendance, behaviour and safety, is not being conducted well enough.
"Consequently, those responsible for governance are at risk of not having all the information they need to respond promptly to any issues that arise.
"Directors need to make sure their management systems are working as intended, so that they have accurate and up-to-date information on how well the school is doing."
Glade was rated as "good" for quality of education, personal development and behaviour and attitudes.
Inspectors also praised teachers for their personalised, caring and calm approach, and stated that parents were "enthusiastic" about the school.
"Pupils are safe, cared for and achieve positive outcomes," said the report. "Teachers take time to get to know their needs, interests and abilities extremely well from the time they join the school.
"They use this information to plan ambitious programmes of study that are bespoke for each pupil, and constantly adapt their subject plans to engage each pupil in learning new information and skills."
Pupils' behaviour was good, inspectors said, due to a "strong understanding" by staff of autism spectrum disorders.
"Adults are well trained and recognise quickly when a pupil needs more help to regulate their behaviour and maintain their self-control," they said.
"Pupils learn to be responsible for their actions and respectful of others, which is a significant challenge for some."
Safeguarding was said to be a "constant consideration", with staff keeping a "watchful eye" on pupils and recognising quickly when a child needed additional help.
A spokesperson for Fair Ways, the charity which runs the school and provides a range of children's services, said a rating of "requires improvement" in the leadership category "automatically means the overall report also gets this rating".
"We recognise the new leaders and systems need time to be fully embedded and are working hard to address the highlighted areas for improvement," he said.
"The report also recognises the continued good quality of education, the excellent behaviours and attitude of pupils and their academic and personal development achievements. In fact, this report is filled with positive recognition of the outstanding education and support provided."
Fair Ways' fostering service, based in Bournemouth, has just been rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted, along with its school in Swanwick, Fareham.