Charlton School Ofsted Inspection 2010

Charlton School is thrilled that the recent Ofsted inspection report of its Residential Boarding Unit has rated the service it provides as outstanding, where outcomes for children are excellent. The school is particularly proud to receive such recognition of the high quality of care that the unit consistently provides,

The Boarding Unit offers respite care to eight students aged between 11 and 19 at any one time, from Monday to Friday during school term time. All the students have varying degrees of physical and learning disabilities. The unit was described as well-designed and secure, and fitted to suit children with multiple disabilities.

The report particularly praised the boarding unit in the following areas:

• The students were said to live in a healthy environment where individual health and care needs are identified and promoted. It also praised mealtimes which were described as “a social occasion with every child involved”.

• In areas of child protection and safeguarding, provision was said to be outstanding, whilst still being respectful of the student’s privacy.

• The report stated that the unit actively supported the students’ educational progress, and assisted teaching staff in the school to improve students’ independent living skills.

• The report noted that students are actively involved in decision-making and encouraged to influence the way the school is run. It also noted that feedback from parents was very positive, with comments such as ‘very caring staff’, ‘the school looks after my son very well’ and ‘staff show great kindness and sympathy’ noted.

• The organisation of the unit was noted as outstanding. It stated that the promotion of equality and diversity led to students having equal access to a range of activities including outings and school clubs. The report also praised staff for their continued commitment and for consistently understanding and meeting student’s needs. The school was praised for the level of training that the school makes available to staff

In addition, recent developments received recognition. The use of an internet based managed learning environment to enable online communication between students, parents, boarding unit staff and school was noted, whilst the continuing development of the school’s sensory garden was seen as adding a further dimension to the educational and community provision that the school offers.

Mostyn Lewis, Vice Chair of the Governing Body of Charlton School commented: “Governors are delighted that this independent assessment by Ofsted provides such a welcome and  long-overdue compliment of the highest order to all the staff involved in the Boarding Unit and recognises what a valuable resource this is to students and their families. Greenwich students and parents are indeed fortunate to have such a resource in the borough and Charlton School would be delighted if we could develop its potential, scope and benefits further to meet the pressing needs of more of this vulnerable but deserving group"

 

Feedback from ex Boarding Unit Students

 

Georgina

"I think the Boarding Unit is a lovely place to stay and I stayed there for four years. I would say to anyone who might be wanting to stay there to go for it becaues it's a life opportunity and you get to see your friends in the evenings and spend most of your time there because when you leave there you will miss going to Charlton School"

Mahesh

"The Boarding Unit was a great place to stay and helped me to become independent. I enjoyed going out on trips, to the cinema, bowling, football, basketball, UB40 concert, Planet Holywood and trips to the seaside in the summer with my friends and my two favourite houseparents Sonia and Kim. I also enjoyed the BBQs and numerous water fights with staff. All in all it was great fun and I still come to visit."