High praise for Round Oak
'Round Oak School and Support Service is outstanding’ is the opening line of a recent government report about the purpose built secondary special school in Warwick.
Ofsted inspectors who visited Round Oak off Myton Road in Warwick, last month judged the school as outstanding in all areas of the inspection. They credited Headteacher Puffin Pocock for her ‘inspirational leadership qualities’ and with support from senior colleague for ‘creating a highly professional staff team committed to providing the very best they can for pupils’.
The recently published report praises the school for having ‘very good staff training’ and conducting thorough self-evaluation reflecting high aspirations. Also highlighted is the excellent support provided by governors who fulfil their role very effectively and the excellent work of the support service in mainstream schools.
It commends the ‘excellent’ and well-organised curriculum and the use of flexible teaching strategies, enabling pupils with complex difficulties to follow specialist programmes but also to mix with other pupils for lessons and activities.
Well above average attendance rates demonstrate pupils’ excellent enjoyment of school and they are seen to develop strong and positive relationships with each other and with staff. Inspectors found that this was clearly demonstrated in the student comments, one pupil quoted in the report said: “Everybody in this school is my best friend.”
To help the school get even better Ofsted recommended implementing plans to extend learning opportunities for sixth formers, and strategies to compare students achievements with those of pupils in similar schools.
Cabinet member Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children Young People and Families said: “This excellent Ofsted inspection report for Round Oak School and Support Service could not be any better. Everyone at the school should be very proud of the outcome.
“In the eighteen months since the opening of the new school Puffin Pocock and her team have worked exceptionally hard to create a welcoming and supportive environment for pupils offering excellent teaching to meet their needs. I am so pleased that this has been recognised by the inspectors. Well done.”
Talking about the inspection outcome Headteacher Puffin Pocock said: “Naturally I am delighted that the hard work of all concerned has been publicly celebrated in this way.
“The report rightly stresses that our outstanding provision is the result of an extremely high level of commitment from governors, staff, parents and most of all the pupils.
“I have the privilege of heading up this remarkable team and thoroughly enjoy the challenge. Round Oak in its present form has only been in existence for 18 months and there is still much to do, but this has given us enormous encouragement.
“The report also makes it very clear that Round Oak is a place where achievement is high and learning is fun. What more can any pupil ask for?”