Ivetsey Bank Hospital, our child and adolescent mental health service in Staffordshire, is proud to announce that its in-house school, Ivetsey Bank School, has received an overall ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted following its latest inspection in January 2025.
Ivetsey Bank School provides education for young people admitted to the hospital with a range of social, emotional, and mental health needs – many of whom have missed significant amounts of their education.
The inspection found the service ‘Good’ across all five inspected areas:
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
- Sixth-form provision
Andrew Caine, Hospital Director of Ivetsey Bank Hospital, said, “The upgraded rating reflects a significant improvement from the previous rating. The school is committed to its ongoing dedication to continuous improvement.”
Below are some of the highlights taken from the report:
Care, Support, and Hope
The report found that Ivetsey Bank Hospital School provided a unique environment where education, health, and care unite to create positive change for young people facing complex challenges. The young people are empowered with a sense of ambition and belief in their ability to do well.
The school was seen to work closely with health and care teams to ensure the young people’s health needs do not limit their achievements. Strong partnerships with home schools, parents, and carers foster a sense of possibility and achievement. Despite challenging behaviour due to health conditions, pupils feel cared for by staff, which leads to a calm and supportive learning environment with minimal disruptions.
Therapy, Education and Community Engagement
Therapy and treatment work with education to help pupils prepare for reintegration into their communities and original schools. Staff also organise events like ‘The Great British Rake Off’ and ‘IvetseyFest’ to encourage pupils to explore gardening, music, business, and catering interests to foster further community involvement and personal growth.
Support for Pupils’ Needs
The inspectors saw that pupils admitted with a range of social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs had educational provisions tailored to their needs in collaboration with doctors and health staff. The staff were seen to work hard to understand pupils’ prior learning and attainment, with the teachers developing precise lesson sequences. The personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum is well-planned and effectively communicated.
Effective Learning Environment
When pupils are well enough to attend lessons, teachers create a calm and purposeful environment where pupils can learn. This has helped the pupils manage their feelings and emotions. While some pupils’ attendance is impacted by their health needs, Ivetsey staff work closely with health consultants to ensure pupils return to education as soon as possible.
Social and Personal Development
Teachers have created calm and purposeful learning environments, aiding emotional regulation. PSHE lessons, social issue quizzes, and activities like trips to local landmarks promote social skills, safety awareness, and vocational ambition.
Equality and Safeguarding
Ivestey Bank School meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 with a suitable accessibility plan in place. Safeguarding arrangements effectively ensure a safe and supportive environment for all pupils.
This final report upgrade reflects the dedication and hard work of the Ivetsey Bank education team.
Congratulations to all involved in this outstanding achievement!
For further information about Ivetsey Bank School, please visit their webpage.
