School is 'a haven' for students from Wells

By Guest

16th Jul 2021 | Local News

A school that takes pupils from Wells is "a haven" for students according to government inspectors Ofsted who found it to be good across all measures in their latest report.

Ofsted inspected Tor School, in Glastonbury, for students who are excluded, at risk of exclusion or have medical needs in January and praised efforts to improve standards and work in partnership with all Mendip schools, including those in Wells.

An amalgamation of four education units, Tor School moved to new purpose-built premises in 2018 and has 39 students aged between five and 16.

Students join the school on referral from mainstream primary or secondary schools and have medical or behavioural needs.

The school offers tailored timetables for small groups with the aim of students having a clear path back to a mainstream or special school or, if they join in Years 10 and 11, to take their GCSEs.

Highlights from the report include:

· Strong and positive relationships enhance an orderly atmosphere and strong sense of belonging in school;

· Staff have high expectations and students benefit from personal programmes and considered careers advice;

· Pupils learn to succeed through clear assessment of their needs and teachers capturing pupils' interest;

· Staff love working at the school and share the ambition of leaders;

· High standards in English, maths, art and religious studies with reading prioritised for younger students.

Headteacher Tony Sammon said: "This inspection report validates the high expectations we have of all our students and the hard work of all our staff to support students who are not able to cope in mainstream school and often have a negative view of their own education.

"Working in partnership with all the schools in Mendip we're increasingly able to provide a balanced and tailored education for students before they become excluded, as this is a damaging process for families.

"In the fixed time they spend with us our specialist teachers are able to re-engage students to believe in their own education and make good choices for their future.

"We're now focusing on securing our improvements and to recruit more parents to our management committee as noted in the Ofsted report."

A full copy of the report is available via the red button below.

At the last full inspection the school was known as the Mendip Partnership School and operated on four separate sites.