Cloughwood Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Students enrol here because they have been unable to thrive in mainstream schools owing to their behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. However, within a short time of arrival the great majority are successful in their learning.

For most, their educational standards are well below those of the same ages in mainstream schools. Nevertheless, almost all make outstanding progress and begin to make up the lost ground. These early successes are due to the effective behaviour management of the staff.

This helps students overcome their difficulties and take part in lessons, aided by the strong relationships they form with the ad...ults. The school cares equally well for day students and boarders. The excellent guidance and support from staff helps them gain useful qualifications.

They move on successfully to the next stages of their lives. Students do so well because of the outstanding teaching. However, they do not yet make the maximum gains in their learning because teachers do not always provide targets that would challenge students individually.

Students enjoy school very much and almost all attend regularly. However, there are a few persistent absentees. Students feel safe here and at alternative education.

They accept the high expectation of the school concerning their behaviour which, overall, is outstanding. Throughout their time here students make outstanding gains in their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. They learn how to get on with others.

These advances enable them to take part in a wide range of activities inside and outside of school. The recent great improvements in teaching, achievement and behaviour are due to the diligence of the headteacher and senior team. School managers have received excellent support from the governing body and the local authority.

The outstanding work of leaders and managers has improved the school in every respect since the last inspection. This has led to the very great gains that most students now make in their reading. These successful strategies must now be used to help students catch up in their writing.

Information about this school

Cloughwood School admits boys who have a statement of special educational needs in respect of behavioural, social and emotional difficulties (BESD). Students can arrive at any time in their school career between ages 9 and 16 but currently only secondary age students attend. The numbers of students are almost evenly divided between Key Stages 3 and 4.

Just under half are known to be entitled to the pupil premium funding. The great majority of students are of White British heritage. The school provides a weekly residential facility for up to 16 students, some of whom are occasional boarders.

The school serves a wide area of Cheshire and some of the day students travel for over an hour each way to attend. The residential facility was not part of this inspection but, in June 2012, it was found to be outstanding when inspected by Ofsted. The headteacher was in post at the time of the last inspection but since then changes have been made to the 'middle management' team of the school.

Arrangements are made for one student to attend alternative education provision. The providers used are: Trade Skills (Macclesfield) and Reaseheath College (Nantwich). Since the last inspection the school has gained The Healthy Schools Award and The Sportsmark.

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