Aurora Hedgeway School recognised for exceptional pupil development

Awarding the school an overall grading of ‘Good’, inspectors praised its “broad and ambitious curriculum” adding that staff “meet the needs of each individual pupil with precision”. The inspectors said that in addition to progressing well through the curriculum, pupils developed socially, meaning they were “well prepared for adult life”. 

The Ofsted report grading was: 

• The quality of education: Good
• Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
• Personal development: Outstanding
• Leadership and management: Outstanding
• Overall effectiveness: Good

Headteacher Klaire Rowland said she was delighted with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection and said it reflected the hard work put in by staff during the past three years.

She said: “At the time of our last inspection in March 2022, we’d taken the school from offering limited qualifications to being able to teach the core subjects, functional skills BTECs, arts awards and GCSEs. Since then, we’ve been able to grow the curriculum and offer extracurricular opportunities in order to broaden our pupils’ horizons. We do this through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) curriculum.”

The inspectors also praised the school for equipping pupils with appropriate qualifications and accreditations, as well as work experience, that “successfully maintains their education, training or employment after they leave the school”.

Klaire said: “I’m please the inspectors have recognised the work we’ve put into growing the vocational and work experience offering for our young people. We have students who’ve gone on to the University of the West of England, who have gained experience in a science laboratory, in construction, mechanics and hospitality.”

"The key for us is ensuring they have the same opportunities as their peers in mainstream education." Klaire, Headteacher. 

The inspectors described the school’s work in developing pupils’ understanding of how to improve and maintain their physical and mental health as “a particular strength” adding that pupils learn how to view attributes linked to their Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as superpowers.

As a result, pupils are “empathetic” and “respectful of their peers” and enjoy “a rich set of experiences that help them to broaden their horizons and enhance their childhood”.

The inspectors commended staff for their “expertise” and said the support they offered meant pupils felt understood and that they belonged at the school. “This contributes to their high attendance,” they said. 

The school’s leadership team were also praised for understanding their roles and having the expertise they needed to fulfil them. Klaire said when she joined the school as deputy headteacher in 2018 there were only two girl pupils but now females accounted for about a third of the school population.

She said: “Females are increasingly getting recognised with an autism diagnosis, high anxiety and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). We receive about 20 to 30 referrals a week but we can only take in a fraction of those coming to us. The demand for our service is so high we’re planning a second site and we hope to model it on the great work taking place at Hedgeway.”

Rated 'Good' by Ofsted, Aurora Hedgeway School in Bristol offers a flexible, inclusive education and a positive, vibrant learning community for children and young people aged 7 to 19 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of Autism and related social and communication difficulties.