A SCHOOL for children with special educational needs is celebrating after receiving a "glowing" inspection by Ofsted.
Lord Gowthorpe’s Independent Special School was graded ‘Good’ in all areas of inspection in a report released on September 11.
With just 25 children on the roll, the tiny school – based in Common Road, Dunnington – blends traditional subjects with its 5-star rated riding school in Bubwith.
It was opened by teachers Gorgi Gowthorpe and Adele Lord-Laverick in 2024.
The pair originally set out to provide 15 young people, who struggled to attend mainstream school, with specialist support, but expanded this offering for ten more pupils in January.
Speaking about this, the inspector said: “Over the last year, the curriculum has undergone several changes to ensure that it meets the needs of pupils.
“Staff have an effective knowledge of the subjects they teach, and plans to support students include precise strategies.”
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The school’s curriculum was described as “broad and ambitious”.
It said that staff combine teaching with activities tailored to each pupil, but added that on occasion, these were not always suitable.
The inspector said: “Sometimes, some pupils are ready to move on to more ambitious learning while others require greater support.
“Adaptations are not made as effectively in some lessons as in others.”
Highlighted among the school’s best achievements was pupil attendance.
The report said that while pupils joined after having “persistent absences” from their old school, Lord Gowthorpe’s had taken “determined action” to reverse this, with many now managing to attend school again as a result.
Similarly, skills to improve the children’s independence had "effectively prepared them for adulthood".
The inspector said: “Pupils know how to stay safe online and lead healthy lifestyles.
“Many pupils take part in horse riding or other sports.
“The curriculum for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) is of high quality and the school’s careers programme is well considered.
“It exposes pupils to different career paths and helps them think meaningfully about their futures.”
Co-director of the school, Adele, said the school was “constantly moving forward”, with plans to offer qualifications through its riding centre and open up the area as a GCSE examinations centre.
She said: “We are listening to the SEND community so that we can bridge the gap and ensure that education is accessible for all.
“We have lots of plans for the year ahead and will continue to stretch and adapt so that we can help more young people to achieve their goals.”
SENDCo and Co-Director, Gorgi, said that the team were “thrilled” with the school’s Ofsted results.
She said: “We strive to ensure that our young people have their needs and academic goals met with specialist teachers that learn and adapt, a bespoke curriculum offer with the young people’s interests at hear and a wider team which includes an in-house Occupational Therapist, Educational Psychologist, Animal Therapist and ELSA trained staff.”
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