Local MP Visits New Ways after Ofsted Triumph

A BIRMINGHAM specialist school has welcomed a VIP visitor to help it celebrate being ‘graded’ as outstanding by Ofsted.

Inspectors found New Ways School in Kings Norton to be ‘outstanding in all areas’ when they visited earlier this year, stating that children made ‘exceptional progress’ at New Ways.

The school, which supports children with special educational needs and autism, recently welcomed MP Gary Sambrook, who represents the school’s constituency. He was the guest of honour for a special celebratory event held to mark the school’s remarkable achievement. As well as a tour of the school’s facilities, the MP also met and chatted with New Ways’ pupils and ‘highly skilled and knowledgeable’ staff.

He said: “New Ways is clearly a school that provides excellent education for children with additional educational needs. It was a pleasure to meet with the young people and staff team and to celebrate their ‘outstanding’ achievement, which is richly deserved.”

Because of the challenges they have experienced previously, many of the children supported at New Ways have previously been out of education for some time. Inspectors said New Ways, which is part of Keys, had helped them make ‘exceptional progress’ and added the school had an “ethos of acceptance, where everyone celebrates being an individual. Pupils enjoy coming to school because they feel well looked after and cared for.”

Inspectors also praised the school’s curriculum, saying: “This is an ambitious school where leaders want and expect the best for every pupil. Leaders and all staff ignite a passion for reading. The personal development of pupils is exceptional. The curriculum is rich and ambitious. Leaders and all staff are determined that every child will learn and achieve well. They (the children) are well prepared for their futures.”

Michelle Woodward, Executive Head Teacher at New Ways, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Gary to the school to be our VIP guest and to help us celebrate our outstanding grading.

“Everyone at New Ways – pupils and staff – are incredibly proud of our school.”

Keys