NOTTON is home to a specialist residential school which has recently impressed inspectors with its standards of care

There are six students from Wiltshire at Notton House Academy residential school for boys with complex social, emotional and mental health needs, while many of the staff are also from the county.

It has improved its care rating to ‘good’ for the first time in 14 years and currently has 53 boys on roll.

Ofsted inspected the school, based near Lacock in February and found it was ‘good’ across all measures relating to the care of students. It will be inspected separately for a review of its educational provision.

Highlights from the report included that all the young people at the school are well known by teachers, care staff and school leaders. Staff are well-trained and form trusting and loving relationships said the report and parents and social workers reported that they are confident that students are safe at Notton House.

Staff have high aspirations for all young people and have created a structured and supportive environment. The newly refurbished bedrooms and communal areas illustrate how school leaders drive change and advocate for positive developments; and

The boys are aged between 8 and 19, with 40 children able to stay overnight during weeknights in term time with most from Bristol.

Some students benefit from moving back to mainstream school but most will stay at Notton to finish their education.

This was the second inspection since the school became an academy and joined Bristol-based multi-academy trust Learn@.

Headteacher Michelle Reysenn said: “I am delighted that inspectors could see how staff have worked so hard to make improvements to the school, to the care areas, in refining essential paperwork, and to ensure pupils feel welcomed, safe and that their voices are heard.”