West Cumbria Learning Centre, Workington

What it's like to be a pupil at West Cumbria Learning Centre

Pupils feel safe and supported in this setting. They know that there are adults they can talk to if they are worried. They say that staff listen to them and take their concerns seriously. This helps pupils feel confident to ask for help when they need it. Relationships between pupils and staff are positive. Pupils say that adults treat them with respect, and they respond in the same way. This contributes to a calm environment across the setting. Pupils behave well in lessons and around school. When they become unsettled, staff help them to calm down and return to learning. Pupils are happy at this school and feel increasingly more settled over time. Many begin to take part in lessons after periods of absence or disengagement. They show positive attitudes to learning and take pride in their work. Pupils are more willing to try new tasks and feel less anxious about making mistakes. They speak more confidently in lessons and are increasingly willing to share their ideas. Across the school day, pupils take part in a range of activities, including outdoor learning such as ghyll walking and mountain biking. They enjoy these experiences and talk about them positively. These opportunities help pupils build confidence and develop resilience, and many take part more willingly in school life as a result. Attendance varies. Some pupils find it difficult to attend regularly. However, many improve over time as they become more settled and supported. Pupils recognise the importance of attending and respond to encouragement from staff to return quickly after absence. Bullying is rare. When it does occur, staff deal with it quickly. Pupils trust that staff will take action and resolve concerns that they may have.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently provide purposeful feedback and give pupils opportunities to apply it to improve their work.
• Leaders should continue their work to remove barriers to pupils attending school, ensuring that the number of pupils who attend regularly continues to increase.

The school excels at helping pupils who have had difficult experiences with education feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Staff build strong relationships with pupils and provide tailored support that helps many improve their attendance and confidence over time. The school offers a well-rounded curriculum with enrichment activities and clear pathways to qualifications that match each pupil's future plans.

Safeguarding standards are met. Leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and managed, and pupils feel safe.

Outdoor learning including ghyll walking and mountain biking, work-related learning, practical courses such as construction, college links, daily nurture breakfasts, thematic culture curriculum, visits and activities

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