Gillford Centre Pupil Referral Unit celebrate a successful Ofsted inspection

Staff, pupils and parents at the Gillford Centre Pupil Referral Unit in Carlisle are celebrating this week after Ofsted Inspectors praised them for their hard work and achievements. 

The Inspectors report said the Centre is a good, very well led Centre. The Headteacher, Mr Alan Kemp provides strong leadership and is widely admired and trusted by his colleagues, parents and other schools in the area. The Inspectors recognise that he, along with key staff at the centre, are the driving force behind the improvements made since the last inspection. The quality of teaching is very good with the most significant feature being the understanding from staff about the individual needs of each pupil. When all these factors, plus the improvements since the last inspection, are taken into account the Centre gives good value for money. 

Alan Kemp, Headteacher of the Centre says 

"The Centre is now at an exciting time in its development. Our motor vehicle project is outstanding. Excellent support from an Advanced Skills teacher has made teaching and learning the centre of our future plans. I am delighted with the support I have had from staff, parents and outside agencies." 

The main findings of the report were:   

• The primary department is very well run and pupils are very well taught 
• There is a lot of good teaching throughout the centre 
• The curriculum benefits from a wide range of activities out of the Centre and strong links with the community 
• It is very well managed by the headteacher, change and improvements are being well managed 
• Relationships between staff and pupils are strong and effective in promoting learning and personal development 
• It has earned the full support of parents     

The report also finds some areas that could be improved, these are   

• The assessment and recording of pupils progress 
• The role of subject co-ordinators 
• The way in which secondary aged pupils are helped to learn about humanities     

The Inspectors also found that the parents' views of the Centre are very positive and they feel they are kept well informed about their children on a day-to-day basis and will do their best to co-operate as much as they can.