Hampton Bridge School, Northampton

What it's like to be a pupil at Hampton Bridge School

Many pupils have found a place to belong at Hampton Bridge School. Those who have historically found it difficult to 'fit in' now feel included, safe and happy at school. Pupils say that staff 'help you to feel comfortable being yourself'. Those who find peer relationships difficult are helped to make new friends. Highly positive relationships are evident between staff and pupils, throughout the school. As a result, pupils try hard to manage their emotions and be polite and respectful towards others. Bullying is rare and pupils are confident that staff will sort out any problems or concerns they may have. The majority of pupils have had negative experiences of education prior to joining the school. Many pupils have been out of school for extended periods of time. Often this absence is because of deep anxiety and trauma related to school attendance. Staff accommodate pupils' individual needs and remove any barriers that might prevent pupils from attending. The school offers a warm and welcoming environment. This means that pupils want to attend so that they don't miss out on what is happening at school. There is a notable improvement in attendance for pupils after joining the school. Pupils' individual circumstances and any barriers to learning they may have are known by staff. Highly effective provision is made to address these barriers and provide well for pupils' needs. Pupils enjoy learning in a carefully designed environment that helps them connect and engage with meaningful tasks and activities. Each 'small step' taken in the right direction and every success in pupils' personal and academic development is celebrated. This boosts pupils' confidence to attempt new learning. For example, pupils have engaged in various adventurous trips and community visits that previously they would have thought were beyond their capabilities. The school's carefully planned curriculum prepares pupils well for their next steps and for life in modern Britain.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• • Leaders should ensure more timely access to external specialist support so that all pupils' needs are fully identified and provided for as swiftly as possible. • Leaders should further expand their checks on alternative providers so they can assure themselves the quality of the curriculum being delivered aligns with pupils' learning targets. • Leaders should further refine the targets in pupils' learning plans so they align more precisely with the larger outcomes from their education health and care plans.

Hampton Bridge School excels at welcoming pupils who have struggled in traditional education settings and helping them feel safe, included and happy. Staff are highly skilled at supporting pupils to manage their emotions and overcome learning barriers. The school celebrates every success and has already achieved notable improvements in pupil attendance and engagement in just two terms.

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

Trips to spark interests, careers education, industry expert visits, visits to places of worship

Bus Stops