Kettlebrook Short Stay School, Tamworth

What it's like to be a pupil at Kettlebrook Short Stay School

Many pupils join the school after experiencing exclusion or significant disruption to their education. Kettlebrook provides them with an opportunity to re-engage with learning and develop greater confidence in themselves and their future. Staff take the time to understand pupils as individuals and build positive relationships with them. As a result, pupils feel safe and receive the support they need to access education successfully. Small classes and personalised support help pupils re-engage with learning and build confidence. Staff understand pupils' needs well and help them overcome difficulties that have previously affected their education. Older pupils develop aspirations for their future and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to them after leaving school. They increasingly develop the confidence to explore future pathways and pursue their ambitions. Preparation for adulthood is an important part of school life. Pupils receive regular careers guidance, learn about further education and employment opportunities and are encouraged to think positively about their future. Former pupils return to share their experiences and successes. This helps current pupils understand what is possible beyond school and raises their aspirations. Many pupils develop a stronger sense of purpose and ambition because of these opportunities. Positive relationships are central to pupils' experience of the school. Staff know pupils well and understand the challenges many face. Pupils know that adults will help them when they need support and that concerns are taken seriously. This helps many pupils develop greater trust in education and confidence in their ability to succeed. Pupils also benefit from opportunities that reflect their interests and talents. These experiences help them develop confidence and resilience. Many pupils take increasing pride in their achievements and develop more positive attitudes towards learning. However, pupils do not experience consistently high expectations in every classroom. At times, some pupils disengage from learning and inappropriate behaviour is not addressed quickly enough. As a result, pupils do not always benefit from the same quality of learning experience across the provision.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is embedded consistently so that all pupils benefit from teaching that helps them learn successfully and improves their achievement.
• Leaders should strengthen the identification of gaps in pupils' knowledge, skills and language development so that learning builds securely on what pupils already know and can do.
• Leaders should develop teachers' expertise in adapting learning and responding to pupils' misconceptions so that pupils receive support that helps them to be successful in lessons.
• Leaders should ensure that behaviour expectations are applied consistently across the provision so that pupils experience the same high expectations for behaviour, engagement and learning in all classes.

Kettlebrook excels at helping pupils who have experienced exclusion or disruption re-engage with learning and rebuild confidence. The school's small classes and personalised support help pupils feel safe and supported, while strong partnerships with families and external agencies ensure vulnerable pupils get the help they need. Pupils benefit from excellent preparation for adulthood through regular careers guidance and ongoing support beyond leaving school.

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

Careers guidance, partnerships with We Are Tamworth and the Pathway Project, satellite provision for personalised pathways

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