Top rating achieved by Rowley Regis education centre
An education centre, which teaches sick children and youngsters staying in hospital, has been given an outstanding score by school inspectors.
The Whiteheath Education Centre, in Rowley Regis, offers a home and hospital tuition service and the education watchdog Ofsted has found it to have an outstanding level of teaching. Inspectors who visited last month and awarded the top rating said that the teaching offered by staff was inspirational and they provide excellent care to those who have complex medical needs.
The Ofsted inspectors were at the Hawes Lane-based centre on February 5 and 6.
It provides education to pupils aged between five and 16 who suffer from physical and or psychological problems.
They teach both at home, at Sandwell Hospital and, on occasion, at the bedside and in classrooms at the centre.
Inspector Jeffrey Plumb found that pupils make outstanding progress in English and maths because he said every pupil is challenged.
He said: "Almost all pupils make rapid progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Achievement in these subjects is outstanding. Most pupils in Key Stage 3 make enough academic progress and gain sufficient confidence to go back to their mainstream school."
Mr Plumb also said pupils in Year 11 gain the skills and qualifications to enable them to gain places at college when they leave the centre. He said; "Teaching is inspirational.
"Teachers know the exact learning steps of every pupil and plan very effectively to meet them."
He said one of the main reasons the centre works well is the partnership between teachers and health professionals to help pupils overcome anxiety and fear of failure.
He said: "Care lies at the heart of this outstanding centre, including the excellent support provided for pupils with complex medical and psychological illnesses."
Mr Plumb praised the centre for offering a wide range of academic subjects, and the teachers who help the pupils overcome a wide range of obstacles.
Mr Plumb said to improve, the centre needs to work in partnership with the council to ensure that when pupils are known to be eligible for free school meals, that the mainstream schools they come from pass on the pupil premium funding to the centre.
The report states on some occasions this was not happening.
Head teacher Rowena Challoner said: "I am lucky to have such a dedicated team, who work exceptionally hard for these young people.
"When they come to us they are often insecure, and we aim to raise their self-esteem, and give them the self-confidence they need."
