Specialist academy improves Ofsted rating

A specialist academy that was previously told it required improvement has been rated as "good" across all areas by Ofsted.

Severndale Academy in Shrewsbury, which works with children and young people aged two to 25 with special educational needs and physical difficulties, received the previous rating after inspectors visited in March 2022.

The report now recognised "significant changes" at the school since the last inspection, including a redesign of its curriculum.

Chief executive of the academy, Jane Hughes, said she was "delighted" at the improvement.

She said: "I know how hard the whole staff body at Severndale has worked to give the pupils a school they can flourish in. I am so proud of all the staff.

"I am also so pleased for the parents and families of the children that they can have confidence in the school providing the best experiences for them going forward."

The academy became part of the Learning Community Trust in 2021, joining a range of educational organisations that work with young people in a special setting.

The Ofsted report highlighted that pupils "love coming to school and eagerly enter to be greeted by warm and welcoming staff."

The relationship between staff and students helped "create a calm environment where pupils display positive behaviours.

It also praised its range of wider activities which "successfully develop pupils' independence, sense of belonging and responsibility."

The inspectors added: "The school's vision of 'enabling communication, independence and enjoyment for life' is at the heart of everything it does for pupils. This helps to prepare pupils well to become valued members of society."

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