What People Say

Ofsted

The School's most recent Ofsted was in June 2007 and the overall quality rating is outstanding. Please see Ofsted 2007.

The Ofsted in December 1999 was a rewarding finish to the twentieth century with a good report.

What The School Does Well

• There is good teaching across the school, which enables pupils to make good progress.
• The provision for pupils with Asperger's Syndrome is very good and enables them to make good progress.
• The residential provision is a strength of the school and makes a significant contribution to the social and moral development of pupils, and to the provision for the very good range of extra-curricular activities.
• The provision for students at Post-16 is good.
• The careers and vocational guidance programme is very good and contributes to the school's good links with the community, and ensures that pupils are well prepared for their next stage of training.
• The school encourages pupils to form very good relationships with adults and with one another, and this contributes well to the overall ethos of the school.
• In relation to the pupils' and students' difficulties, the behaviour is very good.
• The provision for moral and social development, both in the residential and educational settings, is very good.
• All the school's procedures for monitoring and promoting the well being, health and safety of the pupils and students are very good.
• The quality of the school's information to parents is very good.
• The financial control and school administration are very good.

The full report in PDF format can be downloaded from the Ofsted website.

National Care Standards Commission (NCSC)

Since the NCSC replaced the Social Services Inspection System in April 2002 Swalcliffe Park has achieved two excellent reports. Last year we achieved eleven commendable standards and this year it has increased to fourteen commendable standards. Full copies of the report are available from the NCSC or from the school.

Quality Assurance forms completed by visitors

"We enjoyed the visit. Thanks for the hospitality and for taking the time to provide so much information." IE

"This was a very relaxed visit and it was good to see that our son was the important one and not us. Many thanks." BW

"Very welcoming and honest." AN

"Made to feel very welcome and my son was relieved of his anxieties of boarding school. Brilliant. After previous experiences of residential schooling my mind was put at ease straight away. Thank you." CJ 09/03

"The amount of information given was excellent. The amount of time given to myself and the parent was very generous and helpful. All my contact with the school, with various people, was very positive. I was impressed with how kind everyone was." MM

Letters to the Principal

"I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your efforts on my son's behalf. During the two and a bit years that he has been at Swalcliffe I have seen him grow from an angry and confused adolescent into a (quite) mature young man who now has a goal in life. Obviously the credit for this must go, to a very large extent, to the school. Please convey my grateful thanks to all your staff for their support, guidance and encouragement shown to him and for everyone's help and kindness always given to me. We both wish you, your staff and pupils continued success." KW

"Words are inadequate to express our appreciation for all that you and your dedicated staff have done for our son. When he arrived at Swalcliffe Park at eleven years of age (having been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome) he was a nervous, unhappy boy, lacking in self confidence. He had experienced difficulties socially at his previous village school and was very unsure about the move to a boarding school over a hundred miles away. Over the years we have watched him develop into a responsible, confident young man. With the continuing life skills care from the school he has learnt to become more independent than we could ever have hoped for. His tutor has supported and encouraged him to do well academically gaining six GCSE examinations and undertaking a part time college course leading to an NVQ qualification. Our son has been so happy at Swalcliffe Park. In the caring environment of all the staff, including administrative staff, he has been guided, praised and encouraged to work to his highest ability, in school, with his love of sport and socially. When difficulties have occasionally arisen, we as his parents have felt fully involved and supported by everyone at Swalcliffe Park. He will be sad to leave but faces a brighter future than we would ever have imagined possible seven years ago. Thank you so much." R and SF 2002

Letter to School Administrator from a Local Education Authority

"May I take this opportunity to thank you for your support at this difficult time for this authority. I think your personal prompt response and considerations of the County's plight at this time was admirable." June 2003

Article in the Hampshire Autistic Society Newsletter

The following is an extract from the article by Sandy Flecknor whose son James attended Swalcliffe Park School:

James did well at school, we worked closely with his teachers and carers and were kept informed when any problems arose. At the age of fifteen James was chosen to represent Cherwell district basketball team and picked to play in the Thames Valley Youth Games in 1999. Over 2000 young people competed and it was a very proud moment for us and his school, when his team won the bronze medals and James was presented with the player of the games cup.

Following another battle to get post sixteen funding to stay on at Swalcliffe Park School, James took and passed six GCSE exams and went on to gain NVQ qualifications at both Banbury College and Warwickshire College whilst continuing to learn life skills in a flat within the school (with lots of support from staff).

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