OFSTED Brantridge Summary

Extracts from OFSTED report

‘Brantridge is an improving school that aims for its pupils to undergo personal and social development, remedy academic underachievement and improve self-image and self-esteem. It is largely successful in achieving these aims.’

‘The improvements already made show that the school has the capacity to improve further.’

‘The staff work hard and successfully in establishing relationships with pupils, who respond positively. One pupil commented “I feel safe. They are nice people.”…The pupils confirm that there is always someone to whom they can turn.’

‘The establishment of trusting relationships and a secure environment provide a solid basis from which the pupils flourish.’

‘The pupils become more enthusiastic learners as their attitudes and behaviour improve.’

They (the pupils) behave well and have good attitudes to their work. They are courteous and polite to visitors and classmates alike.’

‘The curriculum is a good mix of learning opportunities that reflect the needs of all learners. There is a strong focus on literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) and these subjects are supplemented well by other areas of learning.…provides a broad range of learning opportunities supported by a variety of enrichment activities.’

‘Teaching Assistants play important roles in working with pupils on a one-to-one basis…teachers provide opportunities for them (pupils) to learn in different situations.’

‘Teachers are knowledgeable about the subjects that they teach and so they provide activities that are enjoyable and broadly match pupils’ capabilities.’

‘The residential provision makes a good contribution to enhancing many aspects of the pupils’ personal development. A range of visits, such as to the theatre and unit based activities like cooking…are both enjoyable and valuable in extending the pupils’ experiences.’

‘There are good links with other partners such as parents and sponsoring authorities.’

‘Close liaison with a range of other colleagues is a particularly impressive feature. For instance, speech and language and art therapy are provided for a significant number of pupils and the family caseworker has an integral role in maintaining very close links between school and pupils’ parents or carers.’

‘Leadership and management are now stable…the situation is now improving as the headteacher, governors and trust representatives have adopted a more systematic approach to evaluating the school’s work. These key personnel now have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and what needs to be done, and their findings are suitably focused on pupils’ achievement.’

The CEO's 120km Great Trek!

Following the recent successful completion of the CEO's sponsored walk along the length of the Great Glen Way in Scotland, Sue would like to thank all of you who supported her in this worthy cause.  We are all very grateful for your donations and kind generosity which has allowed Sue to raise in excess of £5,000 for Grafham Grange Special Educational Trust.  Seen here is a photograph of Sue and her husband, Geoff, at the final point of the Great Glen Way – proof that they were there and finished the hike as promised!

Thank you to all sponsors!!

If you could kindly send your donations/sponsorship money to the Trust, it would be much appreciated.

To support the Walk for Well Being on line, click here.

Read about Grafham's Football Victory

For the fifth year in succession the Grafham Grange Senior Football Team reached the final of the Surrey Special Schools Sports Association (SSSSA) Cup Competition – an unequalled and superb achievement! We won the game 3-2 beating Glebe School after extra time in a fiercely contested game that took place at Carshalton Athletic FC.

Having won it three times in the last four years we were extremely keen to do it again this year and three well taken goals from Michael Burrows, Sam Pollard and Charlie Briggs allowed us to do this! Only one other school has won this trophy four times and we now look like we have a good chance of doing it again next year with the current group of year nine and tens we now have coming through.
 
Grafham took the lead to go 1-0 up early in the second half but less than a minute from full time Glebe equalised, exploiting a rare mistake by our back line and goalkeeper. However, the team were not affected by this and quickly scored two goals in the second period of extra time to go 3-1 up. With a minute left Glebe managed to grab a late goal to take the game to 3-2 but it was too late for any comeback. When the final whistle went to signal the end of the game the Grafham team and supporters were ecstatic and jubilant celebrations took place on the pitch. We were now safe in the knowledge that the cup was coming back to what has arguably become its homeplace - our trophy cabinet - having spent four of its past five years with us!!
 
Special mentions for the match must go to Chris Davies, Michael Burrows, Jake Puttman, Robert Houghton and Kirk Travis. All five of these boys played with passion, determination and committment of the highest level - Well done guys!!
 
Report by David Jackson and Phil Thompson - PE Teachers

Sporting News

Well done to Grafham Junior Football Team as runners up in the County Cup!

We'd also like to congratulate both our Junior and Senior Badminton teams who are the County champions!!

On the 25th April Grafham came second in the Basketball Competition - it has been an outstanding year to date.

Safeguarding standards

Schools within Grafham Grange Special Educational Trust are regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection. For a copy of the latest Key Inspection Report please visit www.csci.org.uk and look for Grafham Grange and Brantridge Schools.

Our educational provision is regulated by OFSTED. Visit www.ofsted.gov.uk – look under Inspection Reports.