Notton House Academy has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and praised for encouraging pupils to be ‘ambitious about their future’.

The academy for boys, aged eight to 19, supports a wide range of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The new Ofsted report praised staff for meeting the pupils’ emotional, social and academic needs so they can work towards their aspirations.

The inspection, which took place in mid-May, also revealed that ‘staff show empathy and have a calm and consistent approach to supporting pupils when they are struggling’.

Ofsted praised the quality of the curriculum at the school and noted that staff understood that pupils need to learn in a way that is individual to them.

Michelle Reysenn, Headteacher of Notton House Academy, which is part of the Learn@ Multi Academy Trust, said she was delighted that the school had received such a positive review from Ofsted.

She said: “I’m so proud of the team and the pupils here at Notton House Academy.

“Our number one focus is to provide the highest quality education and care possible for the young people we support and it’s great that this has been recognised in this report.

“We will keep working hard in the year ahead and continue to develop our school as we strive to help the pupils achieve their ambitions and obtain a high-quality education.”

The provision for pupils beyond their academic learning was also highlighted in the new Ofsted report, particularly the strong offer of therapies and other targeted support to meet pupils’ social and emotional needs.

And it was noted that project-based learning about the different continents, keeping up to date with current affairs and national and international events, helped pupils learn to be respectful and appreciate diversity, different religions and cultures.

Crucially, the school was praised for its careers’ education which gives pupils the opportunities to meet a range of employers and to inspire them and increase their knowledge of the world of work.