Victoria Education Centre

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders are committed to providing the best provision for all pupils whatever their special needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils enjoy school and have positive attitudes to learning. They are cared for well.

Safeguarding is effective. Pupils make good progress throughout the school from their individual starting points. Many overcome significant barriers or previous negative educational experiences, so they thrive at Victoria.

Teaching is interesting and engaging. However, it is not always challenging enough for some more-able pupils. Sometimes, pupils are not encouraged to think for themselves.

The education board has taken ...appropriate steps to strengthen its governance of the school. Members now have an accurate view of the school and are developing appropriate plans for the future. Pupils appreciate a wide range of different sporting and cultural activities.

These widen pupils' experiences. They experience success. Leaders keep the curriculum under review.

They are building on good multi-disciplinary practice already in the school, as well as national and international approaches. The curriculum is not always monitored well enough to ensure that all activities contribute to a pupil's overall development. Children in the early years and students in the post-16 provision make good progress and are well prepared for the next stage.

Leaders manage a complex organisation well. They are very knowledgeable and thoughtful about their work. Even so, they do not always question routine practice rigorously enough to ensure it is as effective as it should be.

Roles and accountabilities are not sufficiently clear.

Information about this school

Victoria Education Centre is operated by 'Livability', a national charity. The charity's education board oversees the work of the school, with a local school improvement board providing additional support and challenge.

The headteacher is accountable to the director of education. The school admits pupils from a number of neighbouring local authorities and some from further afield. All pupils have an EHC plan associated with physical disability or complex medical conditions.

Most pupils have additional learning needs. Some pupils have profound or complex learning difficulties. The interim headteacher took up post in January 2019.