KWS School, Bedford

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

Pupils achieve well from their starting points. Many join the school with significant barriers to learning and engagement. Pupils develop secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics. They build knowledge across the curriculum and achieve a range of qualifications and accreditations. Pupils engage positively in lessons and show increasing confidence in their learning. They benefit from a curriculum that meets their academic, social and emotional needs. Pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for their next stage. They are well prepared and ready for what comes next when they leave the school. Pupils belong. They feel safe, valued and understood. Pupils build positive relationships with both staff and their peers. They trust staff to listen to them and support them when any concerns arise. Pupils behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning consistently through the school. They participate positively in school life and are well supported to do so. Incidents of bullying do not happen often. Pupils are confident that staff will address these effectively if they do occur. Many pupils improve their attendance over time, despite historical challenges with their attendance. Pupils learn about democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. They develop an understanding and respect for different cultures, beliefs and communities. Pupils learn to contribute positively to society. Pupils thrive at this school. They benefit from consistent and expert support that reflects their individual needs and circumstances. Pupils develop greater resilience and independence over time. They access a wide range of experiences, including educational visits, residential trips and work related learning. These opportunities broaden their experience of the wider world and help them develop new interests and aspirations. Pupils learn how to manage challenges, make informed and safe decisions and take responsibility. They are well prepared for their next stage of education, training or employment and adulthood.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should further develop their systems for tracking and analysing information so that decisions about improvement are increasingly precise and responsive to pupils' needs.
• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is equally ambitious and well sequenced across all subjects so that pupils build their knowledge securely over time through the entire curriculum.
• Leaders should identify intended outcomes for pupils with additional needs with even greater precision, so that provision meets pupils' needs as closely as possible and supports them to achieve well.

KWS School excels at helping pupils with complex needs overcome significant barriers to learning and engagement. Staff build strong, trusting relationships with every pupil through dedicated key worker support, creating a calm, inclusive environment where pupils feel valued and understood. The school provides a well-rounded education that combines solid academic achievement with excellent preparation for independence and life after school through careers guidance, work experience and enriching activities.

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.

Theatre visits, fossil hunting, residential trips, work experience, college visits

Bus Stops