The National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in its latest Ofsted report, achieving the highest grade in all six areas of inspection in October.
The new report highlights the school’s “exceptional level of individual care and support”, with inspectors praising the therapy and education programmes, specifically tailored to each student, which help “pupils grow in confidence, independence and self-esteem.” The report also commends the way “adults treat pupils with dignity and respect.”
This is the third time Sybil Elgar school has been rated ‘Outstanding’, having been awarded the highest Ofsted rating in two previous inspections in November 2017 and October 2021.
Sybil Elgar is a specialist school run by the National Autistic Society, which has been supporting autistic children and young people for almost 60 years. It is spread across two sites in West London; the main independent day school in Southall and ‘post-16’ teaching in Acton.
Staff provide a holistic and personalised approach to education, within a caring and safe environment, for autistic children and young people from the ages of four-and-a-half to 22-years-old. The school’s creative approach and focus on independent life skills helps every child to learn and develop.
Ofsted inspectors praised staff, highlighting:
“The school demonstrates a strong commitment to ensure that each pupil’s learning is carefully designed, taking into account their individual needs and interests. Collaboration and communications between educators and health and social care specialists, in the school’s transdisciplinary team, lead to a detailed and highly personalised curriculum for each pupil. Staff draw on their training and thorough insight into pupils’ needs to set ambitious targets and enable pupils to achieve them.”
“The school ensures that all staff know and understand the individual strategies to help pupils overcome barriers to their learning and engagement with others around them. Staff have clear and consistent expectations for how pupils conduct themselves around the school. Typically, lessons and routines at social times are calm and purposeful. Pupils are attentive to their teachers and form positive, professional relationships with staff.”
The report also drew on the positive experiences of pupils:
“Pupils are excited to take part in outdoor pursuits, such as canoeing. One pupil reflected the delight of others when describing making hot chocolate on a bushcraft fire and going hiking. Pupils are proud of their achievements in national awards schemes and projects, including working with artists to create outdoor murals and with horticulturalists to help the school’s garden to flourish. Pupils enjoy looking after the school’s pets.”
Chloe Phillips, Principal of the National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School, said: “I’m thrilled that Ofsted has once again recognised our school’s outstanding ethos and the quality of education we provide for our pupils. It’s an honour to lead our fantastic, dedicated team of staff and to be able to watch our children and young people flourish and reach their full potential. We will continue to strive for excellence and do everything we can to ensure our students leave the school ready for the next phase of their lives.”
Josh Fitzgerald, Director of Education and Children’s Services at the National Autistic Society, said: “We’re delighted that Sybil Elgar School has achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted, for the third time. We’re incredibly proud of all our staff for their hard work and dedication to our pupils. We will continue to do all we can to support autistic children and young people to thrive at school.”
