OFSTED (2018 & 2022)
This is an outstanding school (extracts from the 2022 OFSTED report):
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At Vranch House School, pupils flourish in all areas of learning. Through an expert and seamless combination of therapy and education, pupils excel in learning about a breadth of subjects.
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Staff know the needs of each pupil exceptionally well. Consequently, each pupil has a skilfully designed, personalised curriculum that enables them to succeed. One parent's view echoed that of many, "She has the best possible chances in life because of this school."
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Pupils' lives are transformed at Vranch House School. Through the highly specialised focus on communication, pupils learn to read symbols, pictures, and words. They learn extraordinarily well to read and communicate their needs and understanding of the world. All pupils are expertly taught to sign.
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Leaders demonstrate a powerful moral purpose in ensuring that every pupil receives the best possible learning opportunities. This purpose is shared by the staff.
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Through highly personalised approaches, pupils are immersed in play-based learning. They love learning and excel. Children learn to form trusting friendships with staff and pupils.
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Leaders have created highly personalised learning programmes for each pupil. The curriculum skilfully blends therapy and class-based education to enable pupils to succeed beyond expectations.
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There is a harmonious learning atmosphere in all areas of the school. Leaders ensure that pupils receive the resources, equipment, and tools to both engage and enable pupils to learn well. Staff are exceptionally well trained
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The needs of pupils drive the continually evolving curriculum. Leaders ensure that pupils are exceptionally well prepared for life beyond school.
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Leaders are tenacious in ensuring the physical and emotional safety of all pupils. They are vigilant in following up on all concerns and liaising with external agencies to ensure pupils' safety. Leaders check meticulously to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.
From the 2018 inspection:
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Vranch House provides a highly effective education for its pupils. Pupils make excellent progress in their academic and personal development.
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The senior staff, the governing body and the trustees provide the challenge and support required to ensure that the school continues to improve.
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Leaders, governors and trustees ensure that the school consistently meets the independent school standards (ISS). They ensure that the school provides the highest quality of education and care, through close monitoring, assessment and review of all that the school provides and pupils achieve.
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All staff receive high-quality training. They are committed to ensuring that pupils reach their potential. Regardless of their role or position, all staff see themselves as equal members of the Vranch House team. Staff morale is high.
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Staff use a comprehensive range of communication systems to ‘talk' with pupils. As a result, pupils learn to be increasingly independent in expressing their views, needs and desires.
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The curriculum is exceptionally well planned. Leaders monitor teachers' work to check that pupils achieve highly and develop well. The integration of pupils' physical therapy needs with academic learning helps them to make outstanding progress in all aspects of their learning.
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All aspects of the early years foundation stage are outstanding. Children make an excellent start to their education.
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Pupils benefit greatly from the on-site provision of clinics to ensure that their medical needs are quickly attended to.
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The immaculately kept grounds and the high-quality hydrotherapy suite provide pupils with rich, stimulating sensory experiences.
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Parents and families are kept very well informed about their children's development and day-to-day activities.