A Wisbech alternative provision school has been praised by Ofsted for its “life-changing” impact on vulnerable young people, receiving an exceptional rating for inclusion.
OA – Nene Valley, on Coalwharf Road, was visited by inspectors on June 9, with safeguarding standards found to be met and all other areas rated “Strong”.
The school, part of the Olive Academies trust, provides placements for pupils with complex social, emotional and mental health needs and other vulnerabilities.
Inspectors said the school’s inclusive approach was having a “remarkable impact” on pupils and their families.
“This school changes pupils’ lives,” the report stated.
Many pupils arrive at OA – Nene Valley with poor attendance, low confidence and negative experiences of education. Inspectors found that staff knew pupils exceptionally well and were able to identify and respond to their individual needs.
Targeted support was helping pupils build resilience, independence and more positive attitudes towards learning.
Despite often starting from a very low level, inspectors found that pupils achieved well, with many going on to gain GCSE and BTEC qualifications before leaving the school with greater confidence.
The report said pupils were being well prepared for further education and employment, with the qualifications and confidence they gained helping to open up future opportunities.
Attendance and behaviour were also found to improve. Pupils told inspectors they felt safe, developed positive relationships with staff and were attending school more regularly.
This included pupils who had previously experienced severe absence and become disengaged from education, while behaviour incidents were found to fall sharply over time.
Inspectors described leadership and governance at the school as excellent, linking the rapid and sustained improvement to the appointment of headteacher David Saunders in 2023.
The report also noted that the school was now fully established within the Olive Academies trust.
Parents provided positive feedback during the inspection, with the report describing OA – Nene Valley as:
“a school which transforms not only their child’s life but theirs too”.
The inspection did identify one area for continued development, with leaders and governors asked to keep reviewing and improving the curriculum to help sustain positive outcomes for all pupils.
The school has also been strengthening its links with the wider Wisbech community, opening its doors to local residents and businesses to showcase pupils’ projects and its Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.
The Ofsted findings highlight the progress being made at the Coalwharf Road school in supporting young people who have struggled within mainstream education and helping them develop the skills, qualifications and confidence needed for their next steps.
