News
GGSET Research Group Founded
The Chief Executive and Head of Children’s Services are pleased to announce the launch of the GGSET research group. This will be open to colleagues supporters and partners of the Trust from Autumn Term 2009. The Group will meet around once a term for roundtable discussion / research presentations on a range of current issues and hopefully from time to time there will be the opportunity to publish articles based on action research from the group. Expressions of interest welcome to CEO Susan Tresman. Programme of events will follow in September 2009.
Art Exhibition
“A wonderful exhibition which highlighted the talent and depth of our pupils. Thank you to everyone involved."
“Very colourful and exciting work! Glad to see this is going to be an annual event.”
“Creative and inspirational!”
“I so enjoyed these fabulous pieces of art. Thank you to all our talented students.”
“An exciting variety of skills and thoughtfulness. Very powerful images. Congratulations!”
“Many inspiring, heartfelt and truthful pieces of art: a tribute to the artists and those guiding their creativity.”
“I enjoyed viewing these young men’s work very much. I hope we see you again at Cranleigh with more of your work.”
“What an excellent display of talent!”
Levels of participation in training ...
across the Trust including those involved in its governance stand at 72% this year!Extracts from Grafham Grange's Latest OFSTED Report
Extracts from Grafham Grange School OFSTED Inspection Report - March 2009
“The school caters for pupils who have complex and at times, very challenging needs. The admission process and assessment is detailed and very carefully planned. The multi disciplinary approach operated by the school ensures that care staff, teachers, medical staff, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists combine to assess each pupil and to decide if the school can meet their needs.”
“The process of admissions, discharges and ongoing assessments and monitoring of progress is of an outstanding quality,”
“The staff provide the children with extremely good support and encourage the children with their education and interests.”
“The pupils are given numerous opportunities to voice their opinions on how the school is run.”
”The school has an excellent activities programme.”
”The recruitment process operated by the school is robust and thorough.”
“Pupils also meet with their key workers on a regular basis to discuss their progress, concerns and targets to achieve. Targets on improvement are agreed by the pupils and this gives them the opportunity to influence decisions about themselves.”
”Relationships were seen to be warm and caring in a professional manner. The young people said they would feel able to talk to staff and feel listened to.”
“The care team are supported by the head of care and clear systems of supervision and training that are in place. The staff said they feel supported and happy with the extensive training. One new member of staff felt he was receiving a excellent induction and is being encouraged within his practical work and training.”
“Key workers work hard to ensure that each pupil has a behaviour management program which identifies targets for improvement, which are relevant to the pupil concerned.”
“Each pupil is assessed and individual packages are planned so that each pupil can achieve to their potential.”
Grafham Grange Special Educational Trust acknowledges the stewardship of the Acting Senior Management Team during the transitional period following the retirement of the Headteacher Mr Richard Norman( August 2008) and in the recent OFSTED inspection in February 2009 which found the overall provision to be sound with many good and outstanding features . This transition in leadership has now been concluded with the appointment of the New Principal, Mr Ian McCready on April 1st 2009 , who brings many valued years of experience of SEN teaching and leadership to Grafham Grange School.
OUTSTANDING Ofsted Inspection
Extracts from OFSTED report for Brantridge December 2008.
“The overall quality rating is outstanding.”
“The children are safe at the school and this is maintained by comprehensive and clear guidance, policies and procedures.”
“A lot of work has gone into developing systems and reviewing how relevant areas of the school can change to develop practice even further.”
“The school operates a consistent approach to behaviour management both within the school and boarding areas.”
“The school has an excellent programme and on each evening and throughout the weekend the children are able to choose between activities at the school on site and going out into the community.”
“The school arranged three different trips which were all different such as a boating holiday, holiday camp and activities based holiday, the boys chose choose the one they most wanted to go on. The holidays were a great success and the school are planning similar weeks this year. The school also arrange different cultural events and this year have celebrated Mardi Gras, American Independence Day, St Georges Day, VE Day, and had various days celebrating different cultures.”
“The children have their needs for specific support outlined in their placement plans and the school offers specific help and counselling.”
“The school promotes equality and diversity to an outstanding level.”
“The overall management of the school is very good.”
“The whole school continues to be involved in the Grafham Grange Trust development plan forum where they discussed the on going development of the school and the Trust as a whole and the new initiatives they wish to bring in.”