Uplands School is celebrating after being graded as ‘outstanding’ for the second successive time by Ofsted.
The report highlights numerous strengths of the school, including the teachers’ determination to provide the best education and care for their pupils to allow them to flourish and make excellent progress.
Uplands School is for students aged 11-19 years with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties, and/or Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), meaning they often have additional complex needs.
The report says that the school has acted upon the only recommendation made at the previous inspection in July 2014 which was to build stronger links with businesses in the community. The school showed evidence of this during this year’s inspection when pupils showed off their knowledge of money by helping out at one of the Uplands charity shops.
Fiona Clark, acting head-teacher at Uplands School, said: “We are absolutely delighted and it is a testimony to the fabulous young people, their families and our amazing staff that we have retained our ‘Outstanding’ judgement.
“It’s a huge team effort and we are immensely proud of the part that everyone plays in this success. Our young people are inspirational and it is a privilege to work with them and help them prepare for adulthood.”
Parents were said to be overwhelmingly positive and appreciative of the school’s provision of quality education and care. The school’s consideration of safeguarding was also praised by inspectors, stating that the school has a strongly embedded culture of safety and security with staff receiving regular training on keeping pupils safe.
The report recommends that the next steps for the school should be to ensure that the most able pupils fulfil their academic potential.
Cllr Fionuala Foley, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and School Attainment, said: “I am thrilled that the school has maintained its outstanding status.
“Everyone at Uplands School works extremely hard to ensure that all pupils are given the best opportunities to progress in their academic and personal development and I’m glad this has been reflected in Ofsted’s report. I would like to congratulate the school for their hard work and commitment.”
