Our specialist school which supports young people with an autism spectrum condition has been found to be “Good with Outstanding Features” in its first Ofsted inspection.

Inspectors visited Brookways School in North Cheam and found that attendance is excellent and that personal development, behavior and welfare as well as the leadership at the school are all “outstanding”. The school was found to be ‘good” in all other areas.

Brookways is part of the Kedleston Group of schools and offers a specialist educational environment to support young people with an autism spectrum condition and Ofsted recently inspected the school for the first time since it opened earlier this year.

Inspectors found that parents, young people and placing authorities are “overwhelmingly positive” about the work of the school and for some families the school’s work has “transformed their child’s life”.

The curriculum, they said, is “creative, engaging and bespoke” and carefully designed to meet the needs of young people with an autism spectrum condition as well as those with a disrupted educational history.

Young people said they loved learning at Brookways and comments from parents included: “‘This school has given me my child back’, ‘My child’s a different child since attending here’ and ‘We have a future now.” The inspectors found that young people, sometimes for the first time, “feel comfortable enough to be themselves, to focus and to learn.”

Head Teacher Melanie Whitfield said: “It Is a privilege to work with the young people and their families here at Brookways. We’re thrilled the Ofsted report reflects the hard work of our young people, the invaluable support we receive from their families and the dedication of our staff.”

Why not read the full report here - www.arcschoololdarley.co.uk/images/brookways/10054306_Brookways_School_-_Published_Report.pdf