What a council visit found at Launceston College’s specialist base

Staff at a specialist base inside one Launceston secondary school have a report they will be happy to read more than once.

The Area Resource Base (ARB) at Launceston College has received a positive report from the local authority following a monitoring visit. The council concluded that the ARB demonstrates “a strong commitment to inclusive practice”.

What the visit looked at

All students in the ARB have Education, Health and Care Plans for a range of learning difficulties. The local authority’s visit reviewed how effective the provision is for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Its report found that “leaders have established a clear culture in which pupils in the ARB are known well as individuals and are supported to participate meaningfully in both specialist and mainstream aspects of school life”.

Praise for staff and pupils’ work

Staff were praised for knowing pupils well and adapting teaching effectively. Support assistants were described as knowledgeable.

The report also noted that “work in pupils’ books was often of a strong standard”.

It said the ARB lead brings a high level of specialist knowledge and a precise understanding of pupils’ needs. Senior leaders and ARB staff were found to share a clear vision for inclusion, with a secure understanding of the provision’s strengths and next steps.

Inclusion built into school life

The visit found that inclusion at the college is treated as an integral part of the school’s operational and educational culture, rather than an add-on to the mainstream offer.

Behaviour during the visit was calm and well managed. Relationships between adults and pupils were described as respectful and supportive.

Work to support children’s personal development and wellbeing was singled out as a notable strength. According to the report, pastoral support forms part of an integrated strategy to help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to engage with their learning.

“Happy and engaged young people”

The report closed with the line that “it was fantastic to see so many happy and engaged young people and enthusiastic and supportive staff”.

Emma Hall, Manager at the Area Resource Base at Launceston College, said: “We’re really pleased that the report recognises the commitment of our staff and the inclusive environment we work hard to create for our children. Getting to know each young person as an individual, understanding their needs and helping them feel safe, supported and ready to learn is at the heart of everything we do.

“We want our students to feel that they belong, have opportunities to develop their independence and take part in school life in ways that work for them.”

Emma added: “It’s particularly lovely to see the report recognise how happy and engaged our young people are, as well as the dedication of the team supporting them every day. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and will continue to build on this work.”