Outstanding Derby special school

PUTTING the welfare and progress of pupils at the heart of everything has led to a Derby special school being rated as "outstanding" by Government inspectors.

Three inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education visited St Martin's school and concluded that its success was because of individual programmes for its pupils.

top of the class: From left, pupils Callum Brown, Paige Foss, Elliot Bull, Aaron Hayes, Daniel McKeaveney, Karl Lyons, Connor Poyser, Eira Logan, Tom Shalloe, Raja Hussain and Pawel Chliszcz spell out the findings of the Ofsted report and, below, head teacher Melsa Buxton whose leadership was also praised by the inspectors.

The Alvaston school caters for 68 children aged 11 to 16 with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties, and each pupil has work and provisions worked out carefully to suit their needs.

The inspectors' newly-published report praised the curriculum which was "matched precisely and very effectively to the needs of every student".

They also felt the caring and supporting ethos of the school was a great strength as "all staff were fully committed to enhancing students' personal and social skills and their self-esteem without ever losing sight of their academic development".

The National Curriculum levels attained by younger pupils were praised, particularly in the areas of information communication technology, geography, music and physical education.

Older pupils were praised for their achievements in GCSEs, entry level and vocational courses which they study.

The inspectors also found that pupils' behaviour was "excellent" and they "clearly enjoy their learning".

Parent Diane Brockle, whose son Dean is in year eight, said: "I totally agree with the inspectors' findings.

"It is a true reflection of the school which I have found certainly meets the needs of all its pupils."

The governing body was praised for its support and chairman Derek Heal said: "I am delighted with the report. It is exactly as I expected.

"I spend a lot of time in St Martin's and know that the pupils and staff work extremely hard on a daily basis."

The inspectors also praised head teacher Melsa Buxton and her senior leadership team and said they "leave no stone unturned in their efforts to move forward".

Mrs Buxton said: "The report is excellent for St Martin's but it doesn't mean we can become complacent.

"We will do everything we can to ensure that our school continues to develop and improve."

The school was last inspected in 2007 when it gained a "satisfactory" grading.

Within the next couple of years, the school will move from its current site in Wisgreaves Road to share the campus of Noel-Baker Community school.

Noel-Baker school, which is currently split-site, will become one school on the same site in Bracknell Drive, Alvaston. St Martin's will be sited in the school grounds next to the main buildings.