Residential special school hailed for preparing pupils for the future

Staff at Fosse Way School in Radstock 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 special school, located on Longfellow Road, 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.

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.”

Staff were commended for their “consistent and persistent support”, which has enabled children to achieve milestones they had previously thought impossible. “Children return home and do tasks they have never done before, or they cope with experiences in different ways,” the report continues. “The support from staff has a meaningful and tangible impact on children’s lives. They have life-changing experiences and are prepared for the future.”