A secondary school for vulnerable children has been handed a 'good' Ofsted rating after improvements were made since the previous inspection.

SMS Changing Lives School, based at Ferranti House on Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, is an independent school for children aged 11 to 16.

The school provides education programmes for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities and is specifically aimed at children who have previously had negative or even traumatic experiences in education.

SMS Changing Lives received a 'requires improvement' rating when last inspected in February 2020, however significant changes have been made since then.

Following an inspection in November, lead inspector Paul Williams and Ofsted inspector Maria McGarry said a "caring and nurturing environment" had been created at the school which helps children feel "valued", allowing them to "settle into school life quickly".

The inspectors said pupils are happy and enjoyed attending the school, adding that they trusted their teachers and recognised how much care staff take.

When SMS Changing Lives was last inspected in February 2020, the main issues with the school included teachers’ subject knowledge not being strong enough, poor coordination on developing pupils' values and the provision for students with SEND not being well organised.

However, in the latest report, the only things the school could improve on are training teachers to understand the new reading recovery approach, offering a wider range of therapeutic help and improving the rates of attendance for some pupils.

The inspectors said behaviour amongst students at the school is good in part because it is closely monitored by staff.

According to the report, bullying at SMS Changing Lives is rare and the great majority of pupils behave well.

Teachers at the school were said to engage with the students well due to their monitoring of behaviour and how frequently they check in on pupils' academic work.

Sports are said to play a big part at SMS Changing Lives, including on site boxing and football, which " provide opportunities for pupils’ personal development", according to the inspectors.

The school's proprietor is said to be passionate about the power of sport to motivate disadvantaged pupils and build their self-esteem. 

SMS Changing Lives is attended by 26 vulnerable students who are placed at the school by local authorities including Oldham, Stockport, Cheshire East, Salford and Manchester.