A school for people with complex learning difficulties has been told it has “significantly improved” after an inadequate rating.
St John’s School in Firle Road, Seaford, was rated good for all categories in a report published on February 14.
The report stated that leaders of the school have been “quick to respond to shortfalls identified” during the last inspection – which was held in February last year.
It said pupils had been moved into a newly refurbished house on the school grounds which is “beautifully presented” and has “thoughtful” adaptions with the needs of children in mind.
Parents spoken to by Ofsted inspector were “unanimous in their praise of the care that their children receive”.
One parent said: ”The staff have given me an opportunity to be a parent again, and not a carer. I drop off a really happy child and pick up a really happy child each weekend.”
The same parent said their child is now able to speak to different people, which they were not doing before.
The report notes that staff and pupils have a close relationship and staff speak fondly of the children.
The report last year said that staff develop positive relationships with children, know them well and adapt their care to fit their differing ways of communicating.
The main concern was around safeguarding of children and that management at the school had “ineffective” monitoring systems in terms of health and safety around the school, which opened in Seaford in 2001.
Management and leaders addressed concerns by commissioning an independent audit of the care provided in the school’s residential provision.
The report stated that they acted on this audit to implement a wide range of improvements.
It also said that staff performance has been monitored to ensure the quality of care and safeguarding practice, resulting in a “meaningful change to children’s experiences, which has had a positive impact on their progress”.
Headteacher Anthony Carlo said: “We are delighted at the work the staff team have accomplished to help make our provision a better environment for our children and young people to live in, and we are pleased that this has been recognised by Ofsted.
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