Elysian, Liss, Liss

What it's like to be a pupil at Elysian, Liss

Pupils thrive in this school's specialist outdoor environment. Prior to joining the school, many pupils have had a significant time out of education. Here, they arrive happily each day, settle quickly and access learning with confidence. Leaders are determined that pupils will achieve their very best so that they can move on to successful further education and training. Pupils benefit well from highly effective pastoral support, carefully tailored induction programmes and bespoke learning plans. These help pupils to learn the social, emotional and academic knowledge and skills they need to achieve well and to be successful. Warm, caring relationships abound. Pupils appreciate staffs' positive support and calm manner. This helps pupils to feel safe and secure. Pupils form positive bonds with staff. Staff have a detailed understanding of each pupil's specific needs. As a result, pupils' needs are met well. Pupils love working with the wide range of animals on the farm. This is at the core of the school's highly effective therapeutic approach. Pupils clearly love caring for the animals. They are incredibly knowledgeable and confident around them. Pupils feel a huge sense of responsibility for the welfare of the animals. This supports pupils' sense of belonging at the school. When a pupil needs additional support to manage their emotions, being with the animals often provides a calm space for them to do this. Pupils behave well. They socialise happily together at break times. Bullying and discriminatory behaviour are rare but when they happen staff take appropriate action to address them effectively. Pupils enjoy a wide range of opportunities to develop skills, talents and interests. Pupils interested in horses benefit from weekly equine sessions. Those interested in animal care and land management learn suitable skills through helping out with jobs on the farm. Pupils also develop confidence and appropriate social skills through interacting with visitors to the school and through spending time in the local community.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should strengthen opportunities to address gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge, particularly in transcription.
• Leaders should make sure that the activities teachers provide always focus precisely on the subject-specific knowledge that pupils need to learn so that pupils can always learn the intended curriculum effectively in all subjects.
• Leaders should ensure that opportunities for staff professional learning are informed by the best available evidence and research, and are always sharply matched to school improvement priorities.

This school excels at helping pupils who have struggled in education to re-engage positively with learning in a caring, outdoor environment. The farm-based setting with animal care activities builds confidence, resilience and practical life skills whilst a thoughtful personal development curriculum supports pupils' emotional wellbeing. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school's regular communication and staff's commitment to helping their children succeed.

Safeguarding standards are met - the school has established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed.

Animal care, equine studies, outdoor learning, grounds-management activities, enterprise projects, community projects and local events

Train Stations

Bus Stops