A BOARDING school for blind and vision impaired students has won praise for its “nurturing approach” in an Ofsted inspection.
New College Worcester’s (NCW) residential provision was rated ‘good’ overall, with leadership and management judged ‘outstanding.’
Inspectors highlighted that students are “treated with respect” at the setting for 40 children, who may also have special needs.
NCW principal Rachel Perks said: “It is wonderful that the inspectors really captured the strengths of the NCW residential provision in their report – the care we show to students, the dedication of our staff and the opportunities for the students to thrive here in a safe, nurturing environment.”
The report described how many students feel a genuine sense of belonging at the Whittington Road special school, sometimes for the first time in their educational journey.
Residential and day pupils aged between 11 and 19 regularly mix during meals and activities, helping to build friendships.
Ofsted commended NCW’s independence programmes, which help students develop essential life skills including using public transport, managing money, cooking, and doing their own laundry.
The inspection also praised the wide range of activities on offer, noting that staff routinely consult students about their interests to create tailored evening and weekend plans.
Safeguarding was rated ‘good’, with leaders commended for their focus on training, accountability, and reflective practice.
Inspectors found that staff were confident in identifying concerns and that children know which trusted adults they can approach.
NCW’s emphasis on online safety was also noted, with inspectors praising the use of monitoring systems, parental controls on the school’s Wi-Fi, and support for student wellbeing.
Leadership and management were described as ‘outstanding’, with particular mention of the head of residential for bringing fresh ideas, energy, and a clear focus on improving students’ care experiences.
The head of care was said to have “embedded a therapeutic and nurturing approach” and to have brought in new training.
Feedback from parents and professionals was judged to be “overwhelmingly positive” at the inspection in February.
The report concludes that NCW continues to provide a high-quality residential experience, with outstanding leadership, a nurturing culture, and a strong focus on independence.
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