Briarwood School, an East Bristol specialist educational service provider, has been declared “Outstanding” for the second time by the Ofsted inspection body visiting in October 2024. The school caters for 165 students in the age range 3 – 19 with a variety of complex needs including severe and profound learning difficulties, autism and sensory impairments, to name a few.
During the Ofsted inspection conducted on October 8 and 9, Briarwood showed outstanding standards in all areas. The school has been commended to have made its students feel safe, secure, and most importantly, welcome. They comment that the staff are always very patient and skillful and plan each child’s day carefully to attend to their specific communication and learning needs. Hence, students are not only comfortable but are also highly motivated to study and feel an intense urge to attend classes and excel.
The inspection report made much of the clarity and ambition of Briarwood’s curriculum that is tailored to the needs of each student. The staff set detailed, realistic targets, broken down into manageable steps for students to work toward as best they can. Strong progress was observed across various subjects, paying attention to core skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, in this individualized approach. Inspectors have also praised the school on personal development. They comment that the school offers students with a wide range of extracurricular activities, for example, visits to local sites and clubs that help to build confidence and character.
Besides this, there is a sound personal and social curriculum that helps prepare the students for employment or developing independence.
At Briarwood, proactive approach to careers guidance ensures relevant workplace experiences and support that help them achieve their careers.
The inspection also commended the collaborative approach of Briarwood, where academic and pastoral teams work together to understand and support the needs of each student. The partnerships the school has with parents and careers and its use of external agencies have resulted in improved student outcomes and attendance.
Briarwood’s “Outstanding” rating seals the commitment to providing students with complex needs with the best education and support possible, meaning they are aptly prepared for their future challenges
