Basildon 'outstanding' school highly praised by Ofsted

The Pioneer School, located on Ghyllgrove, Basildon, has been recognised for maintaining its outstanding standards in its most recent Ofsted inspection on October 22 and 23.

Inspectors found a highly supportive environment where pupils with complex learning needs make significant strides.

The report, published today, stated: “Pupils thrive at Pioneer School.

Happy - Pupils at The Pioneer School, in Basildon (Image: Lift Schools Trust)

“The hugely committed staff leave no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure that all pupils make significant progress from their starting points.

“The school ensures that the curriculum, and the wide range of interventions and activities that pupils do, is precisely matched to pupils’ individual targets.

“Pupils benefit from clear and consistent expectations of and routines for behaviour.

“Pupils are reminded of what positive behaviour looks like. They are praised when they meet these expectations.

Smiles - The Pioneer School continues its outstanding work (Image: Lift Schools Trust)

“If pupils are dysregulated, staff use strategies such as sensory breaks to calm and settle them.”

The Pioneer School, which is part of the Lift Schools Trust, is a large special school for pupils with profound, severe, and complex learning difficulties.

At the time of inspection, 189 pupils were enrolled at the school, all aged between 4 and 19.

The report added: “Staff have high expectations of how well pupils can do.

“When it is appropriate, pupils follow the national curriculum, and in some cases, are entered for formal qualifications to recognize what they have learned.

Support - Pupils thrive at the Pioneer School (Image: Lift Schools Trust)

“The school has thought very carefully about the curriculum to ensure that it meets pupils’ complex needs.

“The school has put communication and language at the heart of its work.

“Staff have trained pupils, and parents, in techniques such as the use of core communication boards.

“These boards are adapted for pupils’ needs. They help pupils access the curriculum and enables them to share their feelings.”

The school was previously rated as “outstanding” in May 2019.

Joanne Allain, principal of The Pioneer School said: “This is a fantastic report from Ofsted about our school, I am really pleased to share it with the whole community.

“We all work very hard to make our school a fun and caring place where children can make exceptional progress.”

“Everyone at Pioneer takes great pride in their work, which is evidenced by the quality of education and the progress, outcomes and achievements of all our young people at our school.”