On Track Education Centre Westbury, Westbury

What it's like to be a pupil at On Track Education Centre Westbury

Most pupils arrive having had unsuccessful or negative educational experiences. From the outset, pupils feel known, understood and valued. Leaders, teachers and key workers champion pupils and their needs. They greet them warmly as they arrive each day and invest time in understanding what interests and motivates them. These patient, positive interactions help pupils settle quickly and re-engage with learning. Over time, most attend more regularly. They develop their confidence and resilience and become more hopeful about their futures. Pupils recognise that staff believe in them, which helps them to believe in themselves. Pupils generally get along well with one another. They have no concerns about bullying, which is rare. Pupils appreciate staff's vigilance and the prompt way they deal with any issues. Well-established routines, such as morning tutor time, give pupils predictability and a sense of belonging. They also provide staff with the time they need to understand pupils thoroughly. The longer pupils attend the school, the better they learn to regulate their emotions and manage their behaviour. Pupils enjoy the personalised curriculum pathways. Staff adapt these carefully to each pupil's needs and interests. Pupils take pride in their achievements. They are motivated by the recognition they receive at daily briefings and the weekly celebration assembly. As they progress through the school, pupils gain a broad range of academic and vocational qualifications that equip them well for their next steps. Pupils value opportunities to develop life skills and contribute to the school and wider community. For example, they participate in a community garden programme and food bank projects. The school council plays an active role in organising events, such as the summer fayre. Visits from external agencies, including the police, health professionals and colleges, strengthen pupils' readiness for adulthood.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should continue to develop staff expertise so that all staff provide consistent and effective support to pupils at the early stages of writing.
• Leaders should continue to review and refine their bespoke approaches to ensure that pupils attend school regularly and that persistent absence is further reduced.
• Leaders should build on current work to embed the careers programme by establishing links with a wider range of workplaces and employers.

This school excels at helping pupils who have struggled elsewhere to believe in themselves again. Staff build strong relationships, understand what motivates each pupil, and provide personalized support that helps them attend regularly and engage with learning. Pupils gain real qualifications and life skills that prepare them well for their next steps, while feeling genuinely valued and part of a caring community.

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, all legal requirements are met, and pupils feel safe.

Sports, charitable events, cooking competitions, trips to places of cultural interest, Enrichment Friday activities (karaoke, nail painting, dungeons and dragons), community garden programme, food bank projects, school council

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