Martha H School, Wigan

What it's like to be a pupil at Martha H School

Pupils receive a warm welcome when they arrive at this newly established school. Many pupils have been away from education for a significant time when they arrive here. All pupils who attend Martha H School have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff focus on getting to know each individual pupil well and provide the bespoke support that they might need. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe and resume the stability they need. As a result, pupils settle quickly into their new school community. Pupils try hard with their work. They make a genuine effort to live out the school's values each day, showing compassion in the way they support one another and creativity in how they approach learning. They explore new ideas with curiosity, and they grow in confidence as they take on new challenges. Owing to some weaknesses in teaching, pupils generally do not achieve as well as they should. This includes some pupils not developing the fluency that they need in communication, reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils, therefore, are not always fully prepared for their next stages. Staff build effective relationships with pupils that sit at the heart of their daily school experience. Pupils trust staff to resolve any issues that arise, including instances of bullying or name-calling. Pupils strive to build new relationships and be respectful towards others. Staff manage pupils' frequent instances of difficulty in managing their feelings, with confidence and care. Most pupils attend school regularly. The inviting school site, with its spacious classrooms and green field, helps create a calm atmosphere where pupils begin to rebuild positive experiences of school. Pupils' personal development is prioritised by leaders. Pupils learn how to look after both their physical health and their emotional wellbeing. This includes enjoying regular enrichment activities such as gardening and computing clubs, and completing the daily mile in their playground. Pupils build healthy habits and positive attitudes to prepare them for life beyond school.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should support and develop staff expertise to ensure that pupils develop their foundational knowledge in communication, reading, writing and mathematics so that they consistently achieve well.
• Leaders should ensure that staff consistently align learning targets to meet the specific needs of pupils. Leaders should ensure that progress against them is accurately and regularly measured and that staff use this information to inform next steps in teaching.
• Leaders should ensure that staff have the expertise to teach the curriculum well, with highly effective lessons that employ the pedagogical approaches needed for each phase, subject and range of ability to consistently meet the associated independent school standards.

Martha H School excels at providing a caring, inclusive environment where vulnerable pupils feel safe and valued. Staff build warm relationships with pupils and provide personalised support to help them settle and re-engage with education. The school offers a broad personal development programme that prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain, including practical skills and careers guidance.

Safeguarding standards are met. Leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.

Sports, music, coding, gardening

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