Frank Wise School receives 'outstanding' Ofsted recognition

The special school in Banbury, Oxfordshire, has been praised for the impact its specialist work is having on developing community cohesion

Frank Wise School in Banbury, Oxfordshire, is celebrating its success having achieved outstanding status in its recent Ofsted Inspection. The special school, which provides for 101 pupils aged 2-19 with severe and complex learning difficulties, was judged to be “an outstanding and inspirational school”. It is the only special school in England to have been awarded the highest grading in every category except attendance, for which it scored a grade two, in 2010. It is the only special school in Oxfordshire to have been awarded this since the new inspection system was introduced in September 2009.

“All pupils make exceptional progress right from the Early Years Foundation Stage, where children get the best possible start to school, through to the new sixth form, which prepares students very well for the future,” the report stated.

An estimated 1.7 million pupils in the UK have special educational needs (SEN) and a major challenge for the Government and schools has been to narrow the achievement gap between SEN and mainstream pupils. Frank Wise School is setting an excellent example having been especially recognised for its ability to remove barriers to learning for SEN pupils through a range of programmes and activities, proving that children with disabilities can achieve well and enjoy learning.

Long established inclusion programmes in partnership with nine primary and secondary schools in the area have helped the school to develop community cohesion, making it possible for each pupil in every class to attend a mainstream school for half a day every week and reciprocating the opportunity for mainstream pupils. Fully inclusive classes within the school based purely on age provide a diverse and socially rich environment for all children. The school’s early reading scheme has helped achieve a 13 per cent increase in children within the school moving into traditional reading schemes. It has enabled a more effective transition between the cognitive pre-literacy skills and those associated with more formal reading.

The report also found that teachers have an excellent knowledge of pupils’ needs and provide work that is challenging, interesting and achievable. One parent summed up the school’s outstanding effectiveness by saying that it provides “a supportive, challenging and stimulating environment that is designed to help children achieve their potential.” Another commented: “I feel privileged that my child is able to attend such an amazing school, with staff that are highly skilled and so passionate about the pupils and their learning.”

Sean O’Sullivan, Headteacher at Frank Wise School, said: “I feel intensely proud that our school has been judged ‘Outstanding’. I think that this is invaluable for helping our families and local community to believe that their faith in the school is fully justified whilst promoting greater understanding throughout the wider community about people with learning disabilities.”

The inspection also revealed that the outstanding work by leaders and managers to develop the sixth form provision to such a high quality in a very short space of time is testament to the fact that the school thrives on challenge.
Sean added: “Whilst we want to celebrate our achievements, we must keep looking ahead to the future. Our next three-year plan starts now and one of our main priorities will be a significant rebuild to enhance the teaching and learning environment for all.”

Members of the local community currently benefit from a range of resources offered by the school outside of hours, including a hydrotherapy pool with drop-in swim sessions, children’s parties and group bookings. Beyond the local community, the school is also involved with special needs groups and has international links with schools across the world including Zawadskie in Poland, Florence and New York. The school plans to continue strengthening its links with the local, special needs and international communities as it continues to develop and grow.

For further information about Frank Wise School please contact Sean O’Sullivan, Headteacher, on 01295 263520 or visit: www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk.

Notes to editor
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About Frank Wise School (www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk)
Frank Wise School is a mixed community special school in Banbury, Oxfordshire, catering for 101 2-19 year-olds. The school provides for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties. After Beacon status from 2004 to 2007, it was designated a Specialist School (SEN) in Cognition and Learning in 2007. Its work has been recognised through numerous awards including International School and Becta ICT Excellence Award (runner-up). The school has been awarded an Outstanding Ofsted report in 2007 and 2010.