The schools watchdog Ofsted ranked Summit School ‘Good’ in all applicable five categories during a routine inspection, with inspectors praising its effective and individualised support for students and highlighting positive feedback from the parents and carers of the students. The latest Ofsted report was published on 17th September 2021.
Fully operational since January 2021, the school enables young people aged between 12 and 18 who have been admitted to Cygnet Joyce Parker Hospital to maintain their academic progress and develop social skills to equip them with confidence and resilience to tackle the challenges that they might face when they leave.
Summit School currently has 19 pupils and eight staff members, led by Jason Cobley, Head Teacher. Jason said: “We are delighted that our school has been given an overall rating of ‘Good’ by Ofsted following its first inspection in July.
“We are incredibly proud of this great achievement, especially after the global pandemic delayed school registration with the Department for Education and we were working to a Covid-safe recruitment process to keep people safe.”
In their report on Summit School, the Ofsted inspectors said: “Pupils are highly motivated to learn and say how much they enjoy coming up to the school from the hospital ward.”
The report added: “Parents and carers who made written responses to Ofsted’s Parent View survey were overwhelmingly supportive of the school. A typical comment was: ‘Even when my child was very unwell, staff did not give up.’
“Staff from the hospital ward support pupils in the classroom. When pupils are unwell, teachers sometimes teach them on the ward. The teaching staff and the ward staff get on very well and support one another.”
Recently, as the national restrictions have eased, the team at the Summit School has started planning outings including museum trips and a bespoke riding course with British Horse Society.
The report also highlights:
- Pastoral support is very strong, and pupils feel safe and confident while at Summit School.
- Staff are vigilant, understand their roles and responsibilities, and care about pupils’ safety and well-being.
- Pupils engage well with their learning. They value the opportunities and support they get.
- Pupils enjoy the calm and settled atmosphere that exists in the school.
- Leaders have ensured that staff have had the necessary training to safeguard pupils.
- The headteacher and the education officer have developed very good relations with hospital staff, pupils and their families, parent schools, local authorities, and other agencies and services.
Cygnet Joyce Parker Hospital supports young people aged between 12 and 18 with mental health needs in psychiatric intensive care and acute environments. The full report can be found on the Ofsted website.