A private boarding school in Middleton which looks after boys who may have faced difficulty in their lives has been rated 'good' by the education watchdog.

Elizabeth House School on Wentworth Close looks after six boys between the ages of 11 to 16 who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, some of whom may have been involved with the justice system or have specific learning difficulties.

The independent school admits boys who are looked after by Hexagon Care Services on behalf of the local authority and shares the site with a care home where the boys live.

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Ofsted inspectors, Mark Quinn and Lindy Griffiths, visited the premises in March this year to assess the school's provision.

In their report published this month, the watchdog found the school adequately supports the boys to overcome any difficulties they have faced before joining the school.

Pupils told the inspectors that they "enjoy" coming to school and feel safe with members of staff on hand to help them with any worries.

During school time, the students are expected to do their best in their learning and Ofsted found their attitudes to education have improved.

This is because the school has "effective strategies" to manage pupils' behaviour which helps them to settle and adapt to the new school.

Students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are also adequately supported in a timely and appropriate manner.

The school works with external support services, such as mental health agencies, to better support the boys.

However, the report did reveal the students sometimes misbehave though it noted serious incidents "are very rare" while leaders have an effective approach to managing bullying.

When it came to its "broad and ambitious" curriculum, the inspectors said Elizabeth House meets the needs, aptitudes and interests of pupils which helps them to achieve.

The students also benefit from a range of activities that support their wider development, such as visiting places of worship to understand different faiths, as well as baking cakes to fundraise for charities.

They are also encouraged to develop their talents, such as playing the piano, and benefit from career advice and guidance that factors in their interests.

Ofsted said this helps them to make well-informed choices about their next steps.

However, the inspectors wrote: "That said, the range of clubs and activities available to pupils is narrow" which "limits pupils' opportunities to develop hobbies and interests".

Staff told inspectors that they feel supported at the school as leaders consider their wellbeing and workload.

Leaders were further praised for supporting their staff to have subject-specialist knowledge to deliver the curriculum. 

"Teachers confidently and competently deliver the different subject curriculums", the report added.

Reading and the school's small library area was another highlight in the report as the inspectors found there are a variety of high-quality books for the pupils to borrow as well as lessons to practice reading.

However, some pupils have "considerable gaps" in their learning as a result of their disrupted education prior to joining the school, especially in phonics.

While these gaps are identified effectively with teachers designing suitable lessons to build on their knowledge, Ofsted warned some subjects taught at the school are "not as well thought out".

One such area of concern is phonics as the education watchdog found leaders and staff "have not had the training" required.

This is hindering pupils' ability to read fluently and accurately, the report added.

Despite this, Ofsted said most of the students go on to achieve qualifications which support them in the next steps of their education, employment or training.

In their verdict, the inspectors rated the school as 'good' overall and said to improve, the school should finalise the curriculum to build on pupils' knowledge and train teachers to identify any gaps in phonics. 

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