Behavioural unit put in special measures by Ofsted

Ofsted gave Two Bridges School a rating of outstanding in 2018

A pupil referral unit in Kent has been put into special measures after its previous Ofsted rating of outstanding was downgraded to inadequate.

Two Bridges School, in Tunbridge Wells, has 44 pupils - all of whom have special educational needs and have been referred there by a mainstream school.

Ofsted said that pupils were not receiving “an education needed to prepare them well for the future” when it visited on 27 and 28 February.

A spokesman for Two Bridges said the school’s interim headteacher, who joined in November, has identified and begun to implement the necessary improvements.

Two Bridges provides behaviour support for children aged 11 to 16 at its site in Tunbridge Wells. It also provides support for primary age children, though this would normally be at the child's primary school.

Inspectors visited the site in Tunbridge Wells.

They said the school’s “narrow curriculum” means pupils do not learn important knowledge and key employable skills, but praised leaders for working on a plan to give pupils the age-appropriate relationships education they need.

'Improved curriculum'

A Two Bridges spokesman said: “We are naturally disappointed with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection, but pleased that the report recognises that the very recently appointed interim head teacher has quickly identified the areas of the school’s provision that urgently need to be improved.

“Our focus now is on ensuring staff continue to build on the good work they have already started in implementing a number of measures, including introducing an improved curriculum and communicating in a better way with parents and carers of pupils.”

The special measures will result in Two Bridges becoming an academy.