A Cumbria school has been praised by regulators for the “outstanding” behaviour, attitudes and personal development of the young people it supports.
Wings School Cumbria, part of Kedleston Group, is a specialist school which offers both day and residential places for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.
Inspectors from regulator Ofsted recently visited the school to review both the education and care provided at Wings Cumbria, and particularly praised the “genuine fondness” shown by care staff as well as the “extremely trusting and meaningful relationships” between the school’s team and the children who live in Wings Cumbria’s registered children’s homes while attending the school. This, they found, allowed children to “feel happy, settled and safe”.
Children living at Wings Cumbria were asked for their feedback as part of the inspection with one commenting: “I feel safe in this home. Staff make it homely and make me feel wanted.” There was “exceptional” feedback too from social workers and parents who were “unanimous in identifying that the considerable progress that children make is mainly down to the positive, trusting and nurturing relationships staff have with children”.
The inspectors reviewing the care at Wings Cumbria found children made “consistent and excellent progress” and built aspirations for their future. Staff at Wings Cumbria are, the inspectors found, “ambitious for all the children in their care”. They rated the overall care provision as “Good”.
Education at Wings Cumbria was also highly praised, with inspectors grading the school as “Good with Outstanding features”, particularly noting the “excellent behaviour” of pupils who show “highly positive attitudes to their work” and the “outstanding” behaviour and attitudes of pupils as well as their personal development.
The school’s Principal Donagh McKillop said: “We are delighted with the comments in both our care and education reports. The achievements the inspectors note should be a source of great pride for both the staff team and our young people.
“The young people at Wings Cumbria come to us having previously had very disrupted educational journeys, with many of them additionally experiencing significant challenges in their lives. Our aim always is to help them have the additional care, nurture and stability – as well as excellent educational opportunities – they need to help them reach their full and true potential.”