Ripplevale School Independent Inspectorate Report
Scottish Literacy ReportScottish Numeracy Report
Loading ...
Special schools provide a unique and distinctive educational environment to meet the needs of the pupils in their community. Undertaking standard tests may not be appropriate and we do not show performance data for special schools.
View exam results via the link below and contact the school to ask about measuring pupil progress.
Prior to attending this school, many pupils had years of negative educational experiences. Pupils say that they feel safe, confident and happy, now they are at Ripplevale. Parents are delighted with how their sons have changed. One parent said that their child is ‘a different person who now has friends’. Another parent said, ‘He is now much more independent.’ Staff have high expectations of pupils’ academic abilities. They ensure that pupils develop their skills in a step-by-step way. For example, in mathematics, when learning about fractions, pupils first learn how to halve and quarter a number. Teachers then help them to further their understanding until they are able to change fractions into decimals. Vocational and entrepreneurial skills are well developed. For example, many pupils enjoy upcycling furniture and then selling the items. Pupils behave well both in lessons and around the school. They learn to appreciate the feelings of others and are often very helpful to one another. Pupils say that they like earning reward points for their good behaviour. Any minor issues which do occur are resolved quickly. Pupils say that bullying of any kind is rare, but if they have any concerns they can talk to a member of staff What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? Pupils are often very anxious when they arrive at the school. One leader said, ‘Firstly, we have to build trust.’ Over a period of six weeks, the staff, including therapists, check the academic, social and emotional needs of each new pupil. Staff then create a plan to ensure that these needs are met. The curriculum has been designed to provide a broad range of challenging experiences. The aim is to build pupils’ confidence in their own abilities. Teachers make sure that the work they provide meets these aims. For example, in food technology, pupils worked together to create a tasty four-course lunch. They were delighted with the food they had produced. Many were keen to demonstrate their learning at home to their parents and carers. The large therapy team plays an important role in helping pupils to regulate their emotions and social anxieties. Across the school, lessons proceed calmly and pupils have positive attitudes to their learning. For example, in science, they concentrated hard when learning about pigments. In the majority of subjects, the curriculum is well sequenced from primary through to post-16. This enables pupils to achieve a range of qualifications, from entry level to GCSEs, in a variety of subjects. However, between key stages 2 and 3 in science and food technology, the sequence of learning is less clear. New leaders have identified this issue. They are in the process of ensuring that the order of learning for next year’s science and food technology curriculums is clearer. Inspection report: Ripplevale School 11–13 February 2020 2 In reading, staff ensure that pupils develop effective phonics skills. Those who have arrived at the school with limited reading skills are given effective help to catch up. Teachers help pupils to become fluent readers. They develop a good understanding of plots and characters in books. Leaders provide a range of opportunities to develop pupils’ personal development. In outdoor learning, for example, staff encourage pupils to consider their spiritual understanding. They are taught to pause and look at the natural world, such as sunbeams through the trees. Students in the post-16 provision are very positive about their learning. They like having most of their lessons and free time in the manor house, which is separate from the rest of the school. Students say that they appreciate the increasing amount of responsibility that they are given. Students enjoy the variety of academic courses on offer. The vocational provision in areas such as construction, catering and media gives students an appreciation of the different pathways available. Staff take great care to ensure that students feel confident about their transitions into further education or employment. They make sure that students are well prepared. For example, they accompany students to the local college on open days to make sure that they do not feel anxious. Post-16 students learn to travel safely on public transport. School leaders work closely with the proprietors. Together they ensure that the independent school standards are met.
We're here to help your school to add information for parents.
Thank you for registering your details
A member of the School Guide team will verify your details within 2 working days and provide further detailed instructions for setting up your School Noticeboard.
This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.
2015 GCSE RESULTSImportant information for parents
Due to number of reforms to GSCE reporting introduced by the government in 2014, such as the exclusion of iGCSE examination results, the official school performance data may not accurately report a school’s full results. For more information, please see About and refer to the section, ‘Why does a school show 0% on its GSCE data dial? In many affected cases, the Average Point Score will also display LOW SCORE as points for iGCSEs and resits are not included.
Schools can upload their full GCSE results by registering for a School Noticeboard. All school results data will be verified.
Write your review
Thank you for your review!
We respect your privacy and never share your email address with the reviewed school or any third parties.
Please see our T&Cs and Privacy Policy for details of how we treat registered emails with TLC.
Please click on the link in the confirmation email sent to you.
Your review is awaiting moderation and we will let you know when it is published.
Our Moderation Prefects aim to do this within 24 hours.
EMAIL SENT
Another email has been sent to
Unlock The Rest Of The Data Now
We've Helped 20 Million Parents
See All Official School Data
View Catchment Area Maps
Access 2024 League Tables
Read Real Parent Reviews
Unlock 2024 Star Ratings
Easily Choose Your #1 School
£19.95
Per month
Already have an account?
UNLOCK
Already have an account?
Log In
Okay, let's register to unlock School Guide
Just £19.95 per month
Cancel your subscription at any time