Compass Community Cledford Park, Middlewich

What it's like to be a pupil at Compass Community Cledford Park

This is a school that improves pupils' lives. Most pupils join the school with significant gaps in their education. Often, they have low prior attendance. At Compass Community Cledford Park, pupils quickly begin to re-engage with learning in a calm and supportive environment. Caring relationships with staff who know each pupil well, helps pupils to feel safe and understood. Pupils' behaviour is typically positive. They show respect for each other and for staff. When pupils do become overwhelmed, staff respond effectively using consistent, therapeutic approaches. Bullying is rare. When it occurs, staff deal with it quickly and sensitively. Attendance improves for many pupils once they join the school. Leaders have introduced individualised plans to support those who struggle most to attend regularly. These tailored approaches have resulted in significant improvements in attendance for the majority of pupils. Pupils benefit from a personalised curriculum that helps them re-engage with learning. Many make progress from their starting points. They begin to rebuild their confidence as learners and develop positive attitudes to learning. Pupils develop a clear sense of belonging and take pride in being part of the school community. They value the relationships they have with staff and feel included in school life. Carefully planned enrichment opportunities bring learning to life. For example, trips to the theatre support their understanding of texts they read in English. Visits, such as trips to museums, enable pupils to produce their own creative work back in the classroom. Pupils engage positively with the wider community. They contribute to local initiatives, such as litter-picking and sending Christmas cards to residents in a care home. They take part in charity events, including a fun run for a local hospice. Through activities, like visiting places of worship, pupils deepen their understanding of diversity. Furthermore, contributing to the county show helps pupils learn about citizenship by working together to represent their school and serve the public.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment strategies accurately to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge and to design learning that consistently builds on pupils' prior learning, so that all pupils can develop deep and detailed knowledge across the curriculum.
• Leaders should further develop the vocational curriculum so that pupils can access a wider range of educational pathways that reflect their interests, strengths and future ambitions.

This school excels at helping pupils feel seen, understood and safe. Staff know each pupil well and use consistent, therapeutic approaches to support positive behaviour and re-engagement with learning. The school provides a broad, personalised curriculum with strong opportunities for work experience and vocational learning that helps prepare pupils well for their future.

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.

Gardening, art, coding, sports, boxing, martial arts, yoga, fishing activities, school council, work experience placements (farm, children's nursery), vocational learning in animal husbandry, joinery and electronics

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