The Sheiling School, located in Ashley, Ringwood has 43 students, with residential accommodation capacity for up to nine students with a learning disability.
At the time of this inspection, eight students were staying in the accommodation and all eight students were seen and spoken to by inspectors. In it’s report, Ofsted stated it focused solely on the school’s social care provision, which caters for up to nine residential students from the overall total of 43 students who are aged between five and 19 years old.
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New Double Classroom at the Sheiling School, ‘Parsifal’ (Image: Sheiling School)
The report released in March graded ‘overall experiences and progress of children and young people’ as ‘outstanding’, ‘how well children and young people are helped and protected’ as ‘good’ and, ‘the effectiveness of leaders and managers’ as ‘outstanding’.
The principal of the Sheiling Ringwood, Corine van Barneveld said: “Being able to offer a homely environment where young people can feel safe, allowing them to make friends and be supported to learn all the necessary practical, social and emotional skills for life, remains a very special and important part of our provision.”
In it’s report summary, Ofsted said the Sheiling School have been awarded such grading for it’s residential services due to it’s provision of effective services that “consistently exceed the standards of good”.
In the inspection judgements, Ofsted also said: “Students continue to make exceptional progress because of the aspirational environment leaders and managers foster.
“A stable team of skilled and knowledgeable staff has continued to provide high-quality, consistent care for the students.”
Head of residential services, Heidi Holm-Rasmussen, said: “This inspection is a strong reflection of the dedication shown every day at the Sheiling and I am truly proud that we continue to uphold such excellent standards and receive consistent high-praise.
Heidi Holm-Rasmussen, Head of Residential Services at the Sheiling School (Image: The Sheiling School)
“The report captures all the elements that make The Sheiling Ringwood a great place for our children and young people to thrive as well as a wonderful environment for our staff.”
The inspection also highlighted that the staff have created a “warm and homely environment” with multiple facilities such as the swimming pool, gym and play areas, woodlands, and deer roaming the grounds.
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The Sheiling School residential house, Ringwood (Image: The Sheiling School)
On one occasion, a bruise was not reported correctly by school staff which led to a delay of several hours for the subsequent investigation. One child’s medication was missed; however this did not have a negative impact on the child.
For more information, visit the Ofsted website directly.