The Croydon SEN school where ‘pupils behave in an exemplary way’

A Croydon SEN school where pupils “behave in an exemplary way” has been rated outstanding by Ofsted for the first time after its recent inspection.

Bensham Manor School was inspected on June 5 and 6 and the report was published on July 1.

The school received the highest ‘outstanding’ rating across all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and sixth form provision.

Inspectors said that “pupils are happy at this very special school” and said that they “thrive here”.

Pupils enjoy their lessons and they “remember a lot what they are taught”.

There were found to be high expectations for pupils at Bensham Manor School.

Inspectors said “pupils rise to the challenge” and conduct themselves in an “exemplary way around the school and in lessons”.

They noted that the disruption in lessons are minimal, and any issues that do arise are sorted out very quickly.

Pupils are “proud of their school” and like to take on the “extra responsibilities that they are given as they get older, such as working in the school café or helping younger pupils in the playgrounds”.

Inspectors noted that pupils are keen to come to school and that attendance is impressive.

Ofsted described the curriculum at Bensham Manor School as “excellent”.

They said, “leaders and teachers have thought carefully and set out in detail exactly what pupils will learn at the school, in every subject and every year group, including in the sixth form”.

They added that the curriculum is “meticulously sequenced” so pupils follow a “logical journey”.

They credited teachers, calling them “experts who bring the curriculum the lesson to life by choosing interesting resources and activities that spark pupils’ curiosity and tap into what already interests them”.

Reading is prioritised at Bensham Manor School and inspectors noticed how there are “high-quality books everywhere”.

They also noted that school staff know the needs od the pupils very well and are “quick to spot if a pupil needs extra help”.

They finished their report by saying: "Staff are very happy working at the school.

“They are committed to the education of the pupils and they feel exceptionally well supported.”

Fiona Robinson said: “I feel so incredibly proud to be the Headteacher of Bensham Manor School, a school which has the most amazing pupils, staff and families.”