A BARROW school for students with special educational needs has received a letter from OFSTED praising it for making progress - but recommending more changes are needed to become good. 

George Hastwell School Special Academy, on Moor Tarn Lane, received a 'requires improvement' rating from OFSTED in 2022.

It subsequently received a monitoring visit in November, with the letter outlining the outcome of this visit being published by the government body on January 15.

It stated: "The monitoring inspection was carried out under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005 and took place because the school has received two successive judgements of requires improvement at its previous graded (section five) inspections.

"The purpose of a monitoring inspection is not to grade the school’s overall effectiveness, but to identify and report on the school’s progress.

"Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to become good."

The inspector recommended the following to improve the school's rating in the future: 

  • "Provide support to leaders who are responsible for subjects so they can check the implementation of the new curriculum in all classes."
  • "Ensure that a system is in place to record the range of assessment information, so that staff and leaders maintain a better oversight of pupils’ learning."

Since the last inspection, a new assistant headteacher and two new governors have joined the school, according to the report. Sixth-form students are now educated in a local secondary school which is also part of The Fells Multi Academy Trust. 

The report said that the school has 'acted quickly' to bring about improvements, including 'completely overhauling' the school's curriculum. It praised the school for conducting research and working with another academy trust that also specialises in educating pupils with special education needs and/or disablities to establish the new curriculum, calling it a 'significant undertaking' for staff. 

It concluded: "Having access to this expertise has been crucial to help establish the new curriculum. This has improved the confidence of staff and leaders to deliver an improved quality of education."