Aspire Learning is thrilled to announce that it has been rated ‘Good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection, with an ‘Outstanding’ rating in Personal Development.
The school, based in Croydon, educates students aged between five and 11 with a range of Social Emotional and Mental Health Needs as well as young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.
The report commends the school’s ability to meet the individual needs of each pupil through small group and one-to-one individualised learning plans, and teachers use information from pupils’ education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) to adapt teaching methods effectively. This approach allows staff to build strong professional relationships and provide tailored support, which is especially beneficial for pupils who have previously struggled to settle in other school settings. Consequently, pupils feel safe, well-cared-for, and happier at Aspire Learning than at their previous schools.
Inspectors praised Aspire Learning for its exceptional provision for pupils’ wider development. They observed that when pupils show interest or talent in extracurricular activities, leaders integrate these into daily learning programmes to deepen their engagement and foster their skills.
The report highlights that staff receive high-quality training and feel well-supported in their roles. Additionally, parents and carers greatly appreciate the daily feedback they receive from class teachers and teaching assistants regarding their children’s learning progress.
Staff’s proactive approach to teaching emotional understanding helps pupils express their feelings constructively. The use of visual aids for non-verbal pupils and the swift, effective intervention by staff when pupils show signs of anxiety are notable strengths highlighted in the report. When pupils exhibit anxiety or emotional struggles, staff intervene quickly and effectively to support them.
Head Teacher Abigail McIver, said: “We are thrilled with the ‘Good’ judgement in our first inspection. We are very proud to achieve ‘Outstanding’ for Personal Development, as this is a strength of the school and reflects our ethos of nurturing the whole child.
I would like to thank our parents and carers for working closely with us to support the students and our staff team for their collaboration, consistent hard work, the compassion they show every day and for inspiring each other to keep finding new and better ways to educate and support our young people.
I’d also like to pay tribute to the Horizon staff team for supporting and challenging us as a school to continually improve and to ensure we are achieving bright futures for the young lives we have the privilege to be part of.”
Managing Director, Andrew Kitterick, said: “We are thrilled with the latest Ofsted report and are really pleased that the comments of the inspectors recognise the commitment and dedication as well as the expertise of all the staff working hard to ensure best outcomes for every pupil at Aspire Learning.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff for their unwavering commitment and passion for education, and to our pupils for their enthusiasm and dedication. Together, we have created a supportive and thriving learning environment, and I am grateful for the positive impact this has on our school community.”
For more information about Aspire Learning and to read the full Ofsted report, please visit Aspire Learning.
