School rated good with outstanding features

Fountaindale school iPad Orchestra at mansfield are tuning up for an Orchestral performance at Mansfiled Palace theatre as part of he 'Able Orchestra'. Brunts School & the BBC Concert Orchestra are also involved. NMAC 11-2-15 iPads, iPad Orchestra members L/R; Kurtis Fraser-King (15),
Murad Hussein(15), Ti-en Lai (16), Jack Tully (14), Jessica Fisher (15),
with them are Simon Tew (4th from left) of NCC Youth Arts & Duncan Chapman of BBC Concert Orchestra.
Front left- Bec Smith (left) & Veronica Simpson of NCC Youth Arts — Fountaindale school iPad Orchestra at mansfield are tuning up for an Orchestral performance at Mansfiled Palace theatre as part of he 'Able Orchestra'. Brunts School & the BBC Concert Orchestra are also involved. NMAC 11-2-15 iPads, iPad Orchestra members L/R; Kurtis Fraser-King (15), Murad Hussein(15), Ti-en Lai (16), Jack Tully (14), Jessica Fisher (15), with them are Simon Tew (4th from left) of NCC Youth Arts & Duncan Chapman of BBC Concert Orchestra. Front left- Bec Smith (left) & Veronica Simpson of NCC Youth Arts

The education watchdog visited Fountaindale School and found overall effectiveness, quality of residential provision and care good.

Outcomes for residential pupils, their safety and leadership and management of the residential provision was judged outstanding.

Inspectors said there have been no failures of national minimum standards. The school’s highly inclusive ethos and underpinning philosophy are strong, ensuring residential pupils are in a supportive and nurturing community within which they are valued and safe.

Residential, education and health staff work closely together to provide a holistic package for pupils.

Residential pupils develop strong relationships with staff. They enjoy the residential experience.

The school has recently reopened in newly-built premises on the same site. This provides pupils with a clean, fresh school which complies with the relevant building regulations.

However, there is limited dining space which prevents staff from eating with residential pupils and makes the room very crowded. Safeguarding is a high priority at the school. Residential pupils feel safe and are safe.

They show consideration and respect towards each other and staff. Bullying is not deemed an issue.

The residential provision is well organised. The senior leadership team is committed and focused to continually improve the service to ensure a high quality provision for residential pupils in which they can thrive. A parent said, ‘This is a friendly school.’

However, discussions with residential pupils and staff are not reported on by the link governor, and the residential provision is only open for two days a week which limits the opportunities for pupils to experience what the residential provision offers.