'Alternative' school ordered to improve following Ofsted inspection

A Hyde school which provides an 'alternative' approach to education has been ordered to improve.

The Peak Forest Centre was told it 'requires improvement' in all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and leadership, by Ofsted inspectors.

However, the inspection praised the centre for the support it provides to pupils who have 'significant challenges and gaps' in their learning and said management were in the process of improving the quality of education.

The independent special school is run by First Steps Together Ltd with annual fees starting at £40,000 and rising to £70,000.

However, Ofsted inspectors Amanda Dowling and Lindy Griffiths reported that some pupils 'do not receive an acceptable quality of education'.

They said: "The school has not ensured that the curriculum is broad enough to give pupils the full range of educational experiences that are set out in the standards. This limits the education that pupils receive."

The report also highlighted that 'essential knowledge' was not being delivered in lessons.

It said: "The school does not identify and address the gaps that pupils have in their reading knowledge. This hinders how well some pupils can access the curriculum and learn. The school should ensure that pupils are given the support that they need to read fluently and accurately."

The inspectors also said too many pupils were absent, although the centre only has a roll of 20 youngsters.

"Too many pupils are regularly absent from school," said the inspectors.

"The school should ensure that it refines and develops the attendance strategies that it has in place to further increase rates of attendance for all pupils.

However, the inspectors accepted that many of the pupils were at the school as a result of their poor attendance in the past.

The inspection is the school's first. It caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and boys and girls with autism between 11-14.

Peak Forest's mission statement reads: "Students come to us with a variety of learning and behavioural challenges, who find that learning in a mainstream or pupil referral setting is not suitable for them.

"Coming to First Steps Together provides them with an opportunity to experience a hands on approach to learning, enabling them to develop new skills and interests with a view to preparing them for further education or employment in adulthood."