Ofsted praises specialist school in Tavistock

Tor View School in Tavistock, Devon, has been rated as ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ in the assessment categories ‘Behaviour and attitudes’, ‘Personal development’ and ‘Leadership and management’ by Ofsted.

In the recent Ofsted report, inspectors said: ‘Pupils shine at this happy and effective school. They feel valued and safe because staff understand their needs and how to meet them. Staff promote positive relationships very effectively. They secure a holistic view of pupils needs and challenges. This helps ensure that pupils benefit from tailored, personalised programmes of study.’

The inspectors went on to say: ‘Pupils behaviour is transformed at the school. Staff are highly skilled and know how to support pupils with their needs. They follow the school’s approach to promoting positive, appropriate behaviour diligently. As a result, pupils learn to value their place in their school and wider community. Lessons are calm and purposeful. Pupils take pride in their work and attend regularly. They try hard in lessons because they are keen to please staff, who care about them.’

The report continued: ‘Everyone gets on very well together. Leaders ensure that the whole community have high expectations of pupils. Parents and carers praise the school. Some say it has transformed their children’s lives.’

Feedback from parents was also further highlighted in the report: ‘Parents say that their children are supported exceptionally well. Many rightly recognise the difference made to their child’s holistic development and self-confidence. One parent said, “It is a very special school for very special pupils, if only all special schools were like this!”’

Ofsted also praised the promotion of pupils’ personal development as ‘exceptional’ and how pupils are ‘very well prepared to experience improved outcomes as adults.’

Tor View School, which is part of the Education division within Aspris Children’s Services, is an independent specialist school for young people aged 7 to 18 years with identified special educational needs (SEN). This includes an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), communication and interaction needs, speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), and attachment related conditions.

After an extensive training and assessment process in 2023, Tor View School has also gained the Trauma Informed School UK (TISUK) Award, recognising the school’s commitment to supporting children and teenagers suffering with trauma and anxiety.

John Gordon, Head Teacher at Tor View School, said: “We are delighted to receive ‘Outstanding’ in three of the four framework assessment categories by Ofsted. It is a privilege to lead such a committed staff team and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work, they do a brilliant job in helping young people to make such positive progress. I also want to pass on thanks to our young people and their parents/guardians for working so closely with us to make this such a thriving school community.”

Nancy O'Regan, Operations Director at Aspris Education, said: “John and all of the staff team at Tor View School do an excellent job in helping young people to achieve their full potential as reflected in the report. Everyone involved with the school should be so proud of what they have achieved and deserve a huge congratulations.”