Special school continues to offer its pupils an outstanding education watchdog reports

Greenmead School in Southfields has once again been judged outstanding following a recent Ofsted inspection.

It is one of a network of special schools across Wandsworth which support children with a range disabilities and special needs. It specialises in educating pupils with severe learning difficulties with many pupils having additional physical disabilities, communication difficulties and complex health needs.

The inspectors found that “pupils really enjoy attending Greenmead School. The nurturing atmosphere helps pupils to thrive. Staff are experts in communicating with pupils. They are also skilled in helping pupils to develop their confidence.”

They added: “Leaders have high expectations of what pupils are able to achieve. Through carefully planned learning, pupils develop their knowledge and understanding very well in all curriculum areas. Staff also ensure that pupils gain valuable knowledge and experience of the wider world. Pupils’ needs are understood and planned for effectively, and staff make sure that all pupils are included in the planned learning. As a result, pupils achieve exceptionally well.

“Support for pupils’ wider development is of exceptional quality. This begins as soon as children join in the early years and continues throughout the school. By the time pupils leave, they are well prepared to move on to the next stage of their lives.

“Parents and carers appreciate that staff are approachable and always on hand to help their children. They also value the way in which the curriculum is planned to meet pupils’ needs. Leaders ensure that parents are kept well informed about the next steps in their children’s learning. Parents are very happy with the school.”

Following the inspection, Amanda Spielman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector wrote to congratulate the school saying that “This is a tremendous achievement by you and your team. Not only does the inspection framework set a high bar for being judged outstanding, but you have achieved this in the context of all the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Due to the complex health needs of the pupils, staff at Greenmead have implemented a range of measures during the pandemic to keep everybody safe. Despite these challenges, leaders and staff have maintained their focus on the pupil's learning and progress. This reflects the commitment and dedication of everyone who works at the school.

Headteacher Toni Edmonds-Smith said “I am incredibly proud of our school community and want to thank the staff for their hard work and commitment to ensuring that ‘every achievement counts’ and supporting pupils to achieve. I want to also thank our parents for supporting us and to our pupils. Thank you for inspiring us each day and for teaching us to be strong and resilient through challenges.”

Commenting on the findings the council’s education spokesman Cllr Will Sweet said: “This is a glowing testament to the hard work, dedication and quality of teaching, care and support offered to pupils by the staff at Greenmead.

“The inspectors have rightly recognised just what a wonderful school Greenmead is and I‘m sure its parents and pupils would echo those conclusions.”

Wandsworth’s support for its young people with disabilities was strengthened by an announcement in November that the council is investing an additional £5m to create more classroom places for children with special needs

The funding will pay for an additional 119 places at local schools for children with a range of needs.
There are around 530 pupils who attend Wandsworth’s network of special schools and 246 SEND pupils at mainstream schools. Around £20m was spent supporting these children at school. Another £9m was used to fund SEND children who attend schools in the private and independent sector.

Over the past five years, the number of Wandsworth children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has increased by 78 per cent. This figure is predicted to increase by a further 8.9 per cent over the next decade.