New Direction, Chesterfield

What it's like to be a pupil at New Direction

Pupils come to this school following previous disruption to their education. Staff welcome pupils so that they settle quickly in their new environment. Staff are encouraging and nurturing so that pupils feel safe at school and start to make friends. Their attendance improves considerably as they enjoy coming to school. Staff carefully use the school environment and the resident animals to support pupils' physical and mental wellbeing skilfully. Pupils are generally polite and respectful. Pupils and staff develop warm working relationships. On the whole, pupils' behaviour is appropriate. Staff deal with any lapses in pupils' behaviour calmly and effectively. Instances of bullying and discriminatory language are rare. When they do occur, staff generally take a positive approach, teaching pupils about appropriate behaviour and language. The school is ambitious for all pupils to access a curriculum that is challenging and prepares them well for adulthood. Leaders are taking steps to develop provision that meets pupils' learning needs. For example, they have recently created a range of specialist classrooms, enabling pupils to develop practical skills. However, there are some inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is delivered. As a result, pupils are not prepared as effectively as they could be for their next steps. Pupils experience a range of carefully planned opportunities in their outdoor learning and equine studies that help them to develop essential life skills. For example, they develop their independence through undertaking responsibilities around the site and strengthen their communication and teamwork skills, when working with the horses. They also learn to develop strategies to regulate their emotions. Pupils' creative development is encouraged through ‘clubs' that enable them to explore their interests and recognise their emerging talents. Pupils take part in national competitions and quizzes related to their work with horses. These opportunities help pupils to grow in confidence, nurture their abilities and prepare them for life beyond the school.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders need to address the variation in the intent and the implementation of the curriculum. They should ensure that all staff keep a clear focus on learning during lessons, so that all pupils experience high-quality teaching across all subjects.
• Leaders need to expedite the development of assessment systems to ensure that pupils needs are fully met. This includes an accurate understanding of pupils' starting points and clear targets towards the end goals stated in pupils' education, health and care plans.
• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is adapted to meet pupils' needs and to address gaps in pupils' learning, particularly with regard to gaps in pupils' basic knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics.
• Leaders should embed their systems and processes for overseeing areas of the school's work, so that the improvements they seek are rapid and sustained and enable all the independent school standards to be securely and consistently met.

New Direction excels at creating a warm, welcoming environment where vulnerable pupils thrive. The creative use of horse care and outdoor learning helps pupils who have struggled elsewhere to rebuild confidence, improve attendance and develop practical life skills. Staff genuinely care about each pupil's wellbeing and work hard with families to overcome barriers to attending school.

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.

Horse care, outdoor learning, equine studies, trips to spark new interests, careers education, life skills units, functional skills qualifications

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