13 January 2025
Dear Parents, Carers, and Stakeholders,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share with you the results of our recent Ofsted inspection, where The William Henry Smith School has once again been rated as Outstanding. This marks a historic milestone as we celebrate our 20th consecutive ‘Outstanding’ judgement—an unparalleled achievement in the sector.
The inspection, carried out on the 19th and 20th of November 2024, highlighted the exceptional experiences, progress, and outcomes for our students. Inspectors commended our dedicated and caring staff, the effectiveness of our safeguarding practices, and the transformative impact of our therapeutic and holistic approaches.
Here are some highlights from the report that truly capture the spirit of our school:
- Child-Centred Care and Dedication: "The children are provided with exceptional child-centred care from dedicated, caring, and nurturing staff. Children are kept busy doing things they love with people they trust."
- Family Support and Bonds: "Staff go above and beyond by facilitating opportunities for parents to strengthen their bonds with their children... contributing significantly to keeping families together."
- Preparation for Adulthood: "Children leaving the school are being prepared for adulthood through work experience, independence skills, and real-world opportunities."
- Outstanding Leadership: "The principal leads by example to a very high standard…and is effectively supported by the head of care and highly capable senior leadership team…they constantly strive to improve and enhance the children’s experiences.”
These findings reflect the passion, dedication, and expertise of our team, as well as the collective effort of everyone involved in supporting our students—parents, carers, therapists, and staff.
Our vision has always been to ensure that every child feels valued, nurtured, and empowered to reach their full potential. To receive this recognition for the 20th consecutive time is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in providing tailored education and therapeutic care.
We remain deeply committed to our mission of transforming lives and building brighter futures. Together, as a community, we will continue to raise the bar for special education and care, both locally and nationally.
Thank you for your continued support, trust, and partnership in this journey. We invite you to read the full Ofsted report, attached and available on our website.
Warm regards,
Sue Ackroyd
CEO/Executive Principal