The Divergent School Harborough, Market Harborough

What it's like to be a pupil at The Divergent School Harborough

From its recent opening, the school has aimed to be ‘just the right fit', so pupils can be safe, feel safe, be well, learn and thrive. This ambition has become a reality. The school serves its pupils well. It understands their special educational needs and/or disabilities well. Relationships are consistently positive. Staff know what motivates pupils. They skilfully anticipate where challenges might arise. Pupils get on well and look after each another, including routinely making each other cups of tea and/or coffee. They have positive attitudes to learning. Bullying is rare. Pupils know who to return to if they need any help or advice. Rates of attendance have dramatically improved over time. Current attendance rates are high. In lessons, there is no lost time. Pupils respond quickly to what teachers ask of them. They take turns and listen to each other. Teachers skilfully adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of all pupils. The school's values of compassion, respect, resilience and tolerance are clear to see in the classroom, around school and when off the school site. From their relative starting points, pupils achieve well. Gaps in their learning are quickly identified and addressed. Pupils' personal development is prioritised. Pupils benefit from a range of activities that contribute to their development. Pupils are proud of the work that they undertake on the allotment; they take very good care of it. They talk proudly about the fish, fruit and vegetables that they nurture. The daily-news activities help them to learn about people and events across the word. The ‘mile' that they complete daily helps them to understand the importance of physical health. Participation in local-community events provides a sense of belonging. Pupils benefit from a broad range of therapeutic services. Ozzy, the trainee therapy dog, plays an important role.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• The school should ensure that the curriculum, across all subjects, makes clear the most important content that pupils are expected to know and remember.
• Leaders should complete their work in identifying how pupils' achievement will be gauged and measured across all subjects.
• Leaders should ensure that they use the full range of information available to them to evaluate the impact that the school's work has on pupils over time.
• Leaders should ensure that written polices and practice match closely and consistently.

This is a school that truly understands its pupils and meets them where they are. Staff expertly adapt teaching to individual needs, and the calm, respectful environment helps even pupils with histories of poor attendance to thrive. Parents consistently praise the school's positive impact, with one noting 'We couldn't ask for a better school.'

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

Arts and crafts, Lego, chess, board games, outdoor learning, daily mile in the park, allotment gardening, local community events, therapy dog (Ozzy)

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