The Braybrook Centre in Parkfields is a Key Stage 3 Pupil Referral Unit with up to 42 places for young people who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties; the majority of its pupils have been permanently excluded from a mainstream school or have been referred as they are at significant risk of a permanent exclusion.
Inspector Mike Cladingbowl found the leadership team has maintained the "good quality of education in the school” since its previous inspection. Head of Centre Stuart Playford and his team know the Centre’s strengths and weaknesses well, and have successfully tackled areas for improvement which were identified in the previous inspection.
The curriculum has been revised to "cater for pupils' individual interests, attitudes and experiences, and offers a broad range of extra curricular activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The inspector was particularly impressed by this, and the impact it is having on the progress pupils are making.
Mr Cladingbowl said a key feature of the Centre is the emphasis placed on "developing positive and trusting relationships between staff, pupils, parents and carers", which "creates confidence in pupils and supports an ethos where all are expected to achieve success."
The school's "welcoming and friendly staff" help new pupils to settle in quickly, and overall pupils make good progress during their time at the centre. They develop confidence and make a positive contribution to the community and learn to adjust their behaviour so that it is more acceptable.
Safeguarding is led well, with pupils’ welfare and safety priorities for the staff. Parents told the inspector they are "grateful for the work of the school and the difference it has made to their children's lives."
The inspector noted that the Braybrook Centre benefits from being part of the Lawnswood Campus, a federation of three different City of Wolverhampton Council-maintained Pupil Referral Units – Braybrook, Orchard and Midpoint. The federation provides access to "good quality training, specialist teaching resources and extensive expertise in managing pupils' behaviour" and is "very well led by an experienced Executive Headteacher”, Jo Wood.
Mr Playford said: "We are exceptionally proud of this outcome and I personally would like to thank all of the staff, parents and especially the pupils for their support and contribution towards the success of the Centre."
Councillor Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, added: "This is a very positive report which paints a picture of a Pupil Referral Unit which is working very well for its students.
“I would like to thank Stuart Playford, Jo Wood and their team for all their hard work and look forward to the Braybrook Centre going from strength to strength."
The Braybrook Centre's Good rating means that all three Lawnswood Campus Pupil Referral Units have been inspected in the last 12 months, and all three have been judged to be Good.
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