New Acorn Education and Care team takes the school's residential homes based in Rutland from Requires Improvement to Outstanding in just 18 months

The Grange Therapeutic School, Rutland, Leicestershire - an independent residential special school for students who have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs or high functioning autism – rated Good by Ofsted in its 'education' inspection, has just been ranked Outstanding in its Ofsted inspection for 'residential care' provision.*

Ofsted Inspectors praised its new team - who took residential care provision from Requires Improvement to Outstanding in just 18 months – for "the highly effective services it delivers and its actions that contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people."

Charlotte Niekerk, who was appointed Head of Care at The Grange in 2020, was also praised as a highly competent leader responsible for "the rapid and marked improvement of the residential provision since the last Ofsted inspection."

The Inspectors said, "The residential provision's leadership team is inspirational, confident and ambitious for children in their care. Meticulous management systems are in place which provide good analysis of the impact of the care provision and the progression of each child. This ensures that all children are supported to achieve the best outcomes."

The Grange was rated Outstanding for the overall experience and progress of children, how well children are helped and protected, and the effectiveness of the school's leaders and managers.

Inspectors reported that, "Strong, stable and trusting relationships mean that children thrive in the residential provision and are extremely positive about the care they receive."

One child quoted in the report said, "The staff have been fantastic. The team leader is amazing. No matter what I needed it would get done, they have always been there for me."

Another child said, "The amount of support I get is unreal."

The Inspectors went on to say, "Staff help children to regulate their emotions so that they learn to interact well with others. Behaviour management strategies are well thought through and ensure that children receive consistent responses from school and care staff.

"As children's behaviour improves, they make significant progress at school. They are able to focus on learning and have fewer incidents. Children who were not engaged in education prior to attending the school are now fully engaged."

More information about The Grange Therapeutic School can be found at: https://www.thegrangetherapeuticschool.co.uk

Alternatively, the school can be contacted directly via their office email address: [email protected]

• Ofsted conducted the inspection in July 2021 but have only recently published the report until after the summer break when the school reopened in September.