Beckfoot Phoenix School community are delighted with the report received from a recent Ofsted Section 8 visit.

Inspectors said, ‘There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if the inspectors were to carry out a section 5 inspection now’.

Beckfoot Phoenix is our special primary school for children aged 2-11 with severe learning difficulties and profound and complex learning and medical needs. This is the first inspection of Beckfoot Phoenix since joining Beckfoot Trust in 2017.  

Shirley Watson, CEO said:

‘We are all delighted that during their recent inspection at Beckfoot Phoenix, the HMI’s judgement was that there was enough evidence to suggest that the school could be judged as outstanding if the inspectors were to carry out a section 5 inspection now.  Reading the Ofsted report for Beckfoot Phoenix is quite simply humbling and as CEO of our Trust, I could not be more proud of the pupils, the staff and their inspirational Headteacher, Rachel Stirland.  The feedback describes Beckfoot Phoenix in a way that we entirely recognise, as a school of ‘warmth, care and ambition’ and a place where ‘there are no limits to what staff believe their pupils can achieve’.  In my view, there is no better praise for any school, although I know, that the team at Beckfoot Phoenix do what they do every single day for the children and not for any badge of honour, as lovely as it is to receive one’.    

The report also stated:  

‘The school’s curriculum is aspirational and of high quality’.

‘The wider curriculum is a rich one. Pupils experience a wealth of opportunities to broaden their awareness of their community and the world, such as ‘Wonderful Wednesday’ and the whole-school ‘parades’.

‘In the context of the provision of Beckfoot Phoenix, behaviour is exemplary. Across the board, staff have consistently high expectations that are founded on strong, caring relationships. Pupils’ behaviour around school is of a high quality: they are polite, considerate of others and orderly’.

Rachel Stirland, Headteacher shared the news with the school community first, and in a message to parents said:  

‘As a Head, I have been at Beckfoot Phoenix for the last 9 years, and it has been my privilege to see our lovely school go from strength to strength. This has been a team effort and we have only been able to do it with your support. You are an amazing group of families with fantastic children, and it is you, together with our very skilled and hard-working staff that make up our Beckfoot Phoenix team.

As you read our inspection report, I hope you feel like me, that it captures the essence of our school. As a school, we are very proud to have been described as a school of warmth, of care and of ambition’, where ‘there are no limits to what staff believe their pupils can achieve’, and where ‘staff want the very best for the children’.

As a Head I could not be prouder of our Ofsted report and of the achievements of our school. Together with our Trust, we are making a real difference for our children and families and I in no way underestimate the hard work of staff and yourselves in making this happen’.

Please read the full report here Ofsted | Beckfoot Phoenix

Huge congratulations to all at Beckfoot Phoenix Special school, you are an inspiration. 

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