INSPECTORS PRAISE TEAM’S WORK WITH VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE

Staff and students at Sheffield’s Key Stage 3 Inclusion Service are celebrating a highly successful first visit from Ofsted school inspectors.

The service, set up in 2003, works with 50 teenagers who are at risk of permanent exclusion from Sheffield secondary schools. Many have social, emotional and learning difficulties and have struggled to cope within busy schools.

The inspectors visited the centres at Riverside and Clarkehouse Road and praised the progress being made by students in turning round their behaviour, attendance and achievement.

They said that the service was ‘successful in meeting its key aim to engage learners and build self-esteem. In the time it has been open, improvements have been made in achievement and in the number of students returning to mainstream education’.

“I’m very impressed with the hard work by this strong team of staff in working closely with schools, families and other agencies to help these young people get back on track with their learning,” said Cllr Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Sheffield City Council.  “There is so much more we want to do to serve these young people well, and it’s great to know that Ofsted agree that we’re on the right track.”

The service works to meet individual needs and work closely with the young person to recognise their talents and the contribution they can make to society.  Evidence shows that this helps young people to develop social responsibility and to move on from difficult times in their lives. 

“We work very hard to improve students’ academic skills - one of our Year 9 students attained a grade A in Chinese GCSE this year! - and also to build their confidence and skills in other areas such as sport, creative activities, outdoor education and music,’ said Sue Walker, Head of the Key Stage 3 Inclusion Service. 

“We’re buzzing from this welcome recognition and very excited about developing the service further.”

The Ofsted report is at www.ofsted.gov.uk (search through Pupil Referral Units and Yorkshire & the Humber to find the Sheffield report).