New independent Buxton special school's Ofsted visit ahead of pupils arriving

The education watchdog visited Oaklands Manor School on Manchester Road in Buxton and inspector Vic Wilkinson said: “The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens.” This proposed school intends to provide full-time education for up to eight pupils with SEND from 11 to 17 years old. Pupils will have a diagnosis of autism and/or social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school will also provide for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. All pupils who attend the school will be in the care of the local authority. They are expected to be in attendance at a proposed children’s home which will be adjacent. An Oaklands Manor School spokesperson said: “We know that for a child with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, finding the right school is about more than just education. “It’s about rebuilding confidence after past rejections and finding a specialist community, often supported by an EHCP, where they can finally thrive. “With high staffing ratios and a bespoke timetable we will help children feel understood, re-ignite their passion for learning, and achieve their full potential.” Looking at the school’s plans Mr Wilkinson said: “The school anticipates that most pupils who join the proposed school will have experienced disruption to their education. “They are likely to have experienced trauma. All pupils will be in the care of the local authority. “The school has considered these factors. “The curriculum that it has prepared takes these needs and experiences into account. “The proposed curriculum aims to provide pupils with experiences in a range of subjects. The school intends to provide linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education.” The pre registration inspection noted the school intends staff to be pre-trained to understand the needs of pupils that the school serves. This will include working alongside clinical and therapeutic staff. Mr Wilkinson said: “The school has purchased an appropriate range of resources to support the delivery of the curriculum. “Additional resources will be purchased if the school is granted permission to open. “The school has an appropriate framework in place to assess pupils’ learning and progress.”