Glowing Ofsted Report praises college in Stroud

A SPECIALIST college for young people with disabilities has been rated ‘good’, with ‘outstanding’ features by Ofsted in its first report, when it was visited by inspectors in December.

Inspectors delivered a glowing report of St Martin’s in Stroud, an independent specialist college for young people aged 19 to 25 with physical disabilities, sensory, learning and communication difficulties and complex health needs, which opened in 2013.

The inspection team praised the achievements of the students at the college, which is part of St Rose’s.

The report said: “Expectations for all students are high and they achieve outstanding outcomes. Students make sustained progress from their different starting points particularly with the achievement of communication skills.”

“Students’ progress in developing their communication skills is outstanding. This is as a result of good support and teaching and the excellent use of specialist technology.”

“Highly skilled staff develop effective personalised learning programmes.”

“Very experienced specialist therapists work closely with teachers to ensure the students get highly effective support.”

“New students settle very well and quickly realise what they can achieve. Parents and carers state how impressed they are with the very calm and enriching environment and report how their sons or daughters make smooth transitions and achieve significant and rapid improvements in their independence and communication skills.”

“Students are inspired and enjoy learning and make very good progress relative to their starting points.”

Vice Principal and Head of Education, Jean Bankhead said, “I am extremely proud of everyone involved in the education, therapy and care at St Martin’s. The very positive report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, the effort of the students and the engagement of families and carers in our journey towards excellence.

To achieve the most positive outcomes possible for our young people is at the heart of everything we do and to receive this excellent report from Ofsted is incredibly rewarding.

Sheila Talwar, Principal commented “As a leadership team we are continually looking for innovative ways to improve the quality of St Martin’s and together with all our staff to promote high expectations of the students and keep them at the centre.”