‘It’s disappointing when anyone can’t see what a wonderful school you are.’
The words of the head teacher of York Steiner School Tracey Lucas, after its Ofsted report was published.
Inspectors visited the school, at Fulford Cross, in September. Their report published today (Monday) gave the overall verdict as ‘Requires improvement’.
Much of the report is positive. “There are strong and positive relationships between pupils and staff that exemplify the warmth and care of the Steiner ethos,” it said. “Pupils are happy at this school.”
It rates behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision all as good.
But the quality of education and leadership and management are both graded as ‘requires improvement’.
Ofsted said some staff had not received appropriate training to deliver the phonics programme effectively. “This limits the ability to support pupils in developing early reading skills,” inspectors said.
The report adds: “The school has high expectations for pupils.
“However, some aspects of the school’s curriculum do not enable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to access a sufficiently coherent sequence of learning.”
York Steiner School is independent, with annual fees ranging from £3,500 to £10,444. It has 190 pupils aged from three to 16.
Ms Lucas told YorkMix: “Ofsted inspections are stressful for every school, and like all schools, we take our preparation and judgement from inspection very seriously.
“Every Ofsted inspection in a Steiner Waldorf school is in some way reflective of the knowledge and understanding of the inspectors of our curriculum and how we teach in our schools.
“We’re not a mainstream school, and we do some things differently. On this occasion, the judgement reflected some of our differences, and we accept that there are some areas that we can improve upon.
“As both myself and the SENCo were very new in post at the time of the inspection, we now have clear guidance as to what we need to do to address the findings, and already have action plans in place.”
She said the overall verdict was disappointing. “You want people to recognise the fantastic things you were doing, but it’s a snapshot, and it doesn’t always happen.
“That’s the sad thing about it. It’s not a perfect system.”
She added: “The feedback the parents gave to us, and the feedback the pupils gave, was overwhelmingly positive, so we are doing something right.”
For parents at York Steiner School, “the Ofsted report isn’t their priority,” she said.
Anyone is welcome to visit the school. The next inquirers’ morning – an open day where you can tour the school – is this Thursday.
Ms Lucas added: “There is always something of value to be gained from inspection and we will work hard to ensure we meet all the Independent School Standards, to ensure the next inspection recognises the quality and value of our education.”
