Ofsted rating hit by expansion

A FORMER outstanding special school has been told it requires improvement since it expanded to take in older pupils.

Spring Brook Primary School received the top grade, “outstanding”, from Ofsted at its previous inspection nearly three years ago.

But it has been downgraded to “requires improvement” since it started taking pupils aged up to 16 in September 2013.

The education watchdog visited the school for children with behavioural, emotional and social (BESD) difficulties in December

Primary pupils continue to be based at the existing building — now called Spring Brook School — in Heron Street, Hollins, where Ofsted inspectors say the pupils make or exceed the progress expected of them.

The quality of teaching in the lower school is also consistently good and sometimes outstanding.

But older pupils at the upper school site in Dean Street, Failsworth, do not make sufficient progress or do well enough in exams. The quality of teaching is not consistently good and the work for the most able pupils is not always challenging enough.

The curriculum needs improvement and the disruptive behaviour of a small minority of pupils sometimes makes others feel unsafe.

Head teacher Rebeckah Hollingsworth said: “We accept the recommendations and we are already carrying out a development plan to improve our standards. The school has seen considerable changes since it extended its age range. Our staff have strong relationships with pupils and I would like to reassure parents that we are dedicated to making the necessary changes.”