School for pupils with 'turbulent histories' praised

The school works with families and families to support its teenage students

A school designed for pupils with "turbulent histories" has been praised by Ofsted inspectors as "a happy place in which to learn".

The Springboard Project in Oldham provides support and care for children with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) who have previously had a difficult time in education.

Headteacher Andy Howard said his school, whose students are aged 14 to 19, was "unique across the whole of Greater Manchester".

"There are young people who, before coming to us, have had two or three years of virtually no education and no attendance at school," he said. "They are now coming in on a daily basis and are well on their way to getting qualifications."

'Trauma'

The school works with families and social workers to support teenagers both in the classroom and at home.

It also operates ‘Project Pantry’, where pupils can collect food and other day-to-day items they need.

Families are also offered essential furniture like beds and wardrobes.

"There’s a lot of negative connotations around SEMH," Mr Howard told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"People think we look after 'naughty boys' and take the ones nobody else will deal with because of behaviour.

"But they’re acting like that because the world around them causes them trauma and they don’t know how to do it differently.

“Young people are falling out of school because of trauma and mental health needs.

"We need a whole new view of education for these young people."

Ofsted inspector Elizabeth Stevens said the school’s personal development programme for students was "exceptional", teaching pupils key life skills as well as helping them earn qualifications.

"As a result, pupils are becoming more prepared for life in modern Britain," she wrote.

The school is also due to become one of the first places to trial regional mayor Andy Burnham’s Manchester Baccalaureate, which aims to create two equal pathways for young people when they make their GCSE choices – one academic and one focussed on technical careers.