Special school's residential set-up hailed as ‘outstanding’

Staff at a Somerset special school have been praised for delivering “life-changing experiences” through their residential provision, in an Ofsted inspection that awarded the school the highest possible rating across all areas.

- Lewis Clarke

The residential Fosse Way School in Radstock provides weekly accommodation for up to 11 autistic pupils as part of its wider education offer to 224 children and young people aged three to 19, all of whom have education, health and care plans.

At the time of the inspection, seven children were staying in the accommodation at the school in Longfellow Road.

In a glowing report published following an inspection from Tuesday, January 14 to Thursday, January 16, inspectors described the school's provision as “highly effective” and noted that it “consistently exceeds the standards of good”.

“Leaders are ambitious, innovative and drive research with the goal of improving the experiences of children who attend the residential provision, the school and in the wider community,” the report states. “They have built on previously outstanding practice and further enhanced it to improve outcomes for children.”