Alternative education provider first to be rated 'outstanding' under new Ofsted framework
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, November 28, 2019
An alternative provision setting is the first to be rated "outstanding" under the new Ofsted education inspection framework.
Westside School, in Hammersmith, west London, was praised by inspectors over the “effective implementation” of the curriculum tailored to address gaps in individual pupils' knowledge.
The Ofsted report notes every teacher at the 50-student school is qualified and many are “specialists with excellent knowledge of the subjects they teach”.
“They plan a quality curriculum that motivates pupils and sustains their interest. This is why attendance is high and why the school is oversubscribed,” the report states.
The school was credited with helping pupils with a history of non-attendance and those at risk of exclusion to “rediscover their love for learning and find their own identity”.
Pupil behaviour around school was described as “impressive”, while safeguarding protocols were said to be “timely and effective”.
Westside was judged highly on improving pupils self-esteem and resilience.
“Disadvantaged pupils told us about the positive impact such provision has had on their personal development. It has fired their curiosity and has made them want to know more about the world,” the inspectors report.
Head teacher Carole-Anne Alcock said: “We are so pleased with the outstanding result and it is deserved due to incredibly hard work from the whole team at Westside.
“A focus on the curriculum tailored to individuals needs and differentiation in the classroom means that gaps in a child’s knowledge are identified early.
“Everybody at the school, staff and pupils, are set high expectations and that helps make Westside the outstanding provision that it is.”
