Fieldgate School, Fishlake

What it's like to be a pupil at Fieldgate School

Pupils are warmly welcomed by caring and supportive staff at this inclusive and highly nurturing school. Pupils at Fieldgate have previously struggled to attend other school settings. Here, they benefit from being able to access education in a way that meets their needs very effectively. Pupils engage successfully in education through the proprietor's flexible 'school without walls' offer, which is fostered by leaders' carefully considered therapeutic and encouraging culture. Pupils receive personalised learning and support to help them to attend well and enjoy learning in a calm, caring environment. Classrooms, and the way pupils access education, are thoughtfully designed to ease pupils' anxiety and promote their wellbeing. Class sizes are small, helping pupils to develop their social interaction skills. They receive high levels of skilled adult support. Staff establish positive and trusting relationships with pupils that reduce barriers to attendance and learning. Leaders listen to pupils and encourage them to take an active part in decision-making for the school. Pupils and their parents and carers highly appreciate the difference the school has made to their lives. Staff ensure that each pupil's education, health and care plan sits at the heart of teaching and wider enrichment. Staff support pupils' social, emotional and mental health needs very well, enabling pupils to enjoy school. Pupils develop their self-esteem and become increasingly confident to socialise with others and seek help when needed. Pupils rise to the school's high expectations for their behaviour and attitudes. Staff provide timely and effective support when pupils struggle to manage their emotions. Pupils trust staff to keep them safe. They achieve well personally and academically. They leave well-prepared for their next steps. A rich variety of local area visits, curriculum themed trips and visitors promote pupils' personal development and wellbeing effectively. Pupils enjoy caring for the school's pets, including guinea pigs, a bearded dragon and Stanley the therapy dog. Pupils relish preparing and cooking healthy meals and taking part in outdoor education activities. All at the school are rightly proud of their fundraising activities and participation in local community events.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure that barriers to early writing are always supported effectively and provision for pupils in the early stages of learning to write, including handwriting and spelling, is highly effective.

Fieldgate School excels at welcoming pupils who have previously struggled in other schools and helping them succeed both academically and personally. Staff create warm, trusting relationships in a calm, nurturing environment with small class sizes and high levels of skilled support. The school's flexible approach means pupils can access education in ways that work for them, whether on-site, in the community, or remotely, while building confidence and essential life skills.

Safeguarding standards are met - the school has created an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are met and pupils are kept safe.

Sports, museum visits, farm visits, art gallery visits, theme park visits, emergency first aid training, leadership roles, careers workshops

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