New appointments made in the wake of inspectors’ visit
A NEW special educational needs coordinator and school counsellor has already been appointed at Les Voies School in the wake of a damning Ofsted report.
It is hoped the new appointments will ensure student needs are being met inside and outside the classroom.
The school, which caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, was found to be inadequate in its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and leadership and management, and its personal development and welfare requires improvement.
The school was inspected in June and the findings were published this week.
Since the assessment, the new SENCO and counsellor have been appointed.
‘Our young people have all got a determination of need, they all have difficulties, whether that be around mental health or trauma or communication needs,’ said head teacher Jon Furley.
‘The behavioural problem outlined in the report is not misbehaviour of students, but young people who have a range of difficulties and our goal is to support the most vulnerable students on the island, to give them an education that is meaningful. It’s not just about academic results but their development into adulthood.’
Mr Furley was aware of the challenges regarding the curriculum that the school had spent two years building and shaping.
It will continue to work alongside the education office to develop this further.
‘The curriculum is absolutely our core focus going forward, making sure that we’re looking at the sequencing and that it meets the requirements and can be adapted that to meet the needs of individuals,’ he said. ‘There is lots to do at the moment and everyone is committed within the school to doing it.’
Director of education Nick Hynes noted that Les Voies encountered additional challenges, as most students had not been successful at other schools. The school can work with those young people academically as well as in areas of social care.
‘We’re not saying that there aren’t things to improve, we completely accept the judgements of Ofsted and we take those seriously,’ said Mr Hynes.
‘Things have already started happening since the inspection and into the new year we will be working alongside the school to give them the support they need to build those pathways.’
The school will undergo another full review in 18 months’ time.
