Aurora Wilden View School’s Personal Development ‘Outstanding’, Says Ofsted

The specialist school, near Kidderminster, opened in February 2024, for young people with social, educational and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and associated autistic spectrum conditions.

Headteacher Rob McConomy said the inspection report, which graded the school as ‘Good’ overall, was exceptional considering that the service only opened last year.

He said: “Aspiration was a key focus for the inspectors. They wanted to see evidence that staff had aspirations for their pupils and that the young people had aspirations for themselves.”

In the report, Ofsted said pupils benefitted from an outstanding programme for their personal development. “The school expertly places pupils’ personal development at the centre of what it does. The attention to detail in this area is impressive,” it noted.

The school caters for students from a number of local authorities including Worcestershire, Birmingham and Dudley. It currently has 55 pupils aged between five and 19, many of whom had been out of education for a long time for a range of reasons including anxiety and challenging behaviour but were now: “happy to be in a school that understands and meets their individual needs,” according to the report.

Rob said: “We were able to demonstrate the difference we’re making to these young people, many of whom came to us because of their non-school attendance or non-engagement with school but who are now in our school every day and accessing learning and making great progress. I couldn’t be prouder.”

First Ofsted inspection results:

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

Describing the report as “very comprehensive”, Rob said it reflected a community that had come together around a shared belief that every child deserves a fresh start; a tailored education and to be seen, heard and celebrated for who they are.

 He added: “We’ve a really strong team at Wilden View and work very closely together. The ‘Outstanding’ judgement with regards personal development is a reflection of how Ofsted felt about the work we’re doing to prepare our pupils for the next stage of their development.”

The report described the curriculum as ambitious and well-structured and said the school was able to identify the knowledge and skills pupils needed to learn at each stage of their education. It said: “The school supports pupils to be aspirational for their future. They receive clear and impartial careers guidance, which helps them to understand what steps they need to take in education, training or employment.”

The Ofsted inspectors were also impressed with feedback from parents, whom they said spoke with great enthusiasm about the school. The report noted:

“Parents recognise and appreciate how the school has completely transformed their children’s educational experiences, allowing them to thrive.”