Kingfisher Special School celebrates 'Outstanding' Ofsted verdict

Kingfisher Special School in Chadderton is celebrating a hugely positive outcome from its recent Ofsted inspection.

The school received glowing feedback for its “inspirational, safe, and nurturing environment” that enables pupils to flourish.

The inspection, which took place in March, has affirmed the school’s commitment to providing a high-quality education for children with complex and severe learning needs.

The Ofsted report praised the school for its ambition to provide an engaging and appropriate curriculum for every pupil, noting that “Kingfisher Special School is incredibly ambitious for pupils’ achievement.”

The report also highlighted the school’s strong focus on supporting individual progress, stating that “from their individual starting points, pupils make striking progress.”

In particular, Ofsted commended the school’s culture of mutual respect, with inspectors noting that “throughout the school, pupils and staff show wonderful respect to each other.”

This positive environment is key to the school’s success, creating a place where every pupil feels valued and supported.

“The school opens the world to pupils, ensuring they are well-prepared for adult life,” the report continued, highlighting the school’s focus on practical life skills and real-world learning opportunities.

The inspection also praised Kingfisher Special School’s approach to staff wellbeing, with the report recognising that “staff are incredibly proud to work at the school” and appreciate the support they receive in managing their workload.

Kingfisher Special School, part of Kingfisher Learning Trust, remains a beacon of inclusive practice, blending the best of special and mainstream education to create a tailored approach that meets the unique needs of every pupil.

Sue Caine, Executive Head, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of this inspection.

"It truly reflects the dedicated and hard work of a highly skilled and committed team of professionals that put the individual needs of the children at the heart of all they do.”

Anne Redmond, co-CEO, added: “The Trust is extremely proud of the achievements of Kingfisher Special School and the high quality provision they provide for Oldham’s most vulnerable children."

Kingfisher Learning Trust, established in September 2016, is known for its commitment to creating “Endless Possibilities” for its pupils, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to contribute positively to society.

With schools located across Oldham and beyond, the Trust is focused on fostering partnerships that will help to further develop and enrich the educational provision offered to children and young people in the area.

The Trust welcomes opportunities to collaborate with local schools, businesses, and community organisations.

Whether through sharing best practices, providing work experience opportunities, or contributing to the local educational landscape, Kingfisher Learning Trust is committed to fostering meaningful relationships that benefit both pupils and the wider community.

For more information about Kingfisher Special School and Kingfisher Learning Trust, please click here

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